ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County health officials have confirmed a chickenpox outbreak at Fairview Elementary School, one of several communicable disease concerns being monitored as students return from winter break.
Buncombe County Schools officials said a third case of chickenpox, also known as varicella, was identified at Fairview Elementary during winter break. The cases have been reported since Dec. 5, 2025, meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of an outbreak.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services notified families and staff last week. According to health officials, the exclusion period for affected students runs from Dec. 19, 2025, through Jan. 8, 2026. Parents received notifications through the school messaging system in multiple languages and through automated phone calls.
School district officials said they are working closely with Buncombe County Health and Human Services and MAHEC school nurses to protect students and staff.
In a letter sent to parents and caregivers, health officials warned that students who are not vaccinated against chickenpox or who have not previously had the illness are at higher risk of infection. Officials also noted that vaccinated students or those who previously had chickenpox could still develop milder cases if exposed.
Parents were advised to keep children home if they show symptoms and to contact a healthcare provider before seeking care to help limit exposure to others. Students diagnosed with chickenpox must remain home until all sores have crusted over and symptoms improve.
Under CDC guidance and state public health authority, any student or staff member at Fairview Elementary without proof of immunity may be excluded from school for at least 21 days following their last exposure. Health officials said exclusions could be extended if the outbreak continues. Families will be notified if the exclusion applies to their child.
Health officials said proof of immunity for K-12 students can include documentation of two doses of the varicella vaccine, verification from a healthcare provider of a prior chickenpox infection, laboratory evidence of immunity, or laboratory confirmation of illness.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services strongly encouraged vaccination for students without documented immunity, noting the vaccine can reduce the severity of illness and may allow students to return to school immediately after receiving a dose if they otherwise lack proof of immunity.
As of Jan. 2, there were 86 reported cases of chickenpox countywide, and school-aged children accounted for 66 of those reported cases, Buncombe County Public Information Officer Stacey Wood said.
The chickenpox cases come as local and state health officials report rising activity of several respiratory and vaccine-preventable illnesses across Western North Carolina.
As of a Dec. 22 news release, Buncombe County Public Health’s Communicable Disease Team said it is monitoring increases in varicella and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Officials are also urging families to take protective measures amid a large measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina.
State data show a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Respiratory Viruses Dashboard, 24.4 percent of emergency room visits statewide during the week ending Dec. 31 involved symptoms of a respiratory virus, up from 17.9 percent the previous week. Most of those visits were for influenza-like illness.
During that same week, there were 3,282 hospital admissions from emergency departments for patients diagnosed with or showing symptoms of respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV and COVID-19. That marked an increase from 2,169 admissions the prior week.
In Region 6, which includes western North Carolina, emergency room visits for influenza-like illness rose 3.87 percent for the week ending Dec. 27.
State health officials report flu activity is increasing statewide, with 39 flu-related deaths confirmed in North Carolina so far during the 2025–26 flu season. Twelve of those deaths were reported in the most recent week.
During the 2024–25 flu season, Buncombe County recorded 19 flu-related deaths, including one pediatric death.
Health officials continue to encourage vaccinations, handwashing and staying home when sick to help limit the spread of illness as schools and workplaces reopen after the holidays.