yesterday.

In the first three months of the year to April 9, 540 cases of chickenpox were reported.

And paediatrician Dr. Bente Lundh believed "there were definitely many more that had not been reported''.

In 1992 and 1993, reported chickenpox cases did not rise above a total of 250.

But nurse epidemiologist Miss Rhonda Daniels said there was no cause for alarm. Winter was the time for chickenpox and outbreaks tended to rise abnormally every once in a while, she said.

Dr. Lundh, who spoke to health workers this week about the virus, broke news of a new medication that speeds recovery from chickenpox by accelerating the life of the virus.

But Acyclovir, also known as Zovirax, was not for everyone, especially healthy children.

Dr. Lundh said the medication, which came in the form of liquid or pill, was more specifically for infected people who were in a high risk group. "This includes people with severe skin problems or severe lung diseases,'' Dr. Lundh said.

"The medication should be offered to anyone over 13 years old, second and third household cases -- when a parent or child is infected by another child in the home.'' She added: "People in high risk groups would have a higher chance of complications, which in some cases might lead to death.'' Zovirax, which is available locally, was tested on children and adults in the US.

"People with chickenpox were given the medication within 24 hours of the first spot appearing,'' Dr. Lundh said.

"Zovirax causes the spots to dry up more quickly, accelerating the whole process which includes reducing fever and fatigue.'' Even those who do fall in the high risk group may have to run the length of the virus if they cannot afford the medication.

"Zovirax is extremely safe but very expensive. A five-day dosage could cost an adult $110.

"Whether or not a patient is put on the medication has to be discussed between doctor and patient. It's a case by case decision.'' With chickenpox on the rise in Bermuda, more people are trying to figure out what to do in order to get rid of the spots more quickly.

Dr. Lundh said that more adult cases of chickenpox seem to be reported in tropical and sub-tropical countries.

"The incubation period for the virus is usually 14 to 16 days. Therefore a susceptible adult in a household with someone else who has it, should be vigilant in looking for spots that are developing, so they can quickly inform their doctor and begin the medication within 24 hours of the rash.'' Dr. Lundh added that most people believed that once the spots appeared they should stay inside for 10 to 14 days. "That is ridiculous. Those that are infected only need to stay inside for five to six days after the onset of the rash and sooner if the spots have dried.'' MISS RHONDA DANIELS -- `no cause for alarm'.