Chickenpox outbreak HMP

A CHICKEN POX OUTBREAK at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP), Belle Isle, is being monitored by prison authorities and health personnel with 13 people, having already come down with the contagious disease.

On Monday, July 20, 2026, Superintendent of Prisons (SOP) Dwayne Bailey, assured that the situation is under control, and confirmed to SEARCHLIGHT that there were 13 reported cases with one of them being an officer.

“We have it confined to a particular block in the prisons and have been treating and giving extra cleaning supplies for the affected cell,” the prison boss said.

He noted that the outbreak is contained and there is an isolation area where people who display symptoms are immediately housed. Part of the prison facility at White Chapel, Kingstown is being used as a quarantine area.

“We see to it that they are getting the required medicine,” the SOP told SEARCHLIGHT.

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an itchy, blister-like rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). While generally mild in healthy children, the illness can be severe and lead to complications in adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.