C'Wealth Games: Ugandan rugby player gets chicken pox, hospitalised

An Ugandan rugby player participating in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has contracted chicken pox and has been admitted to the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital.

"A 22-year-old rugby player was admitted yesterday morning. He is an Ugandan national. He has contracted chicken pox," Dr Amit Banerjee, medical superintendent, LNJP, said.

The player was first taken to the G B Pant hospital where he was dignosed of suffering from the infection.

"He was shifted to us for treatment. He is now in the isolation ward and tomorrow we can say when he will be fit to be discharged," Dr Banerjee said.

Chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus.

It usually starts with skin rash mainly on the body and head which become itchy. It spreads easily through coughs or sneezes of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. Following primary infection there is usually lifelong immunity from the disease.