Officials at San Diego State University on Monday confirmed a chickenpox outbreak among athletes on the university's football team, according to ABC 10News.
Three players began displaying symptoms on Saturday. By Monday, the outbreak had affected five players. Monday's practice was canceled so the team's facilities could be cleaned to prevent further spread of the virus.
"We are in communication with county public health services and will be working with them as needed going forward," said SDSU in a statement obtained by ABC 10News. "The cases are still contained to just the football team and not the general student population."
Every year, the chickenpox virus causes approximately 10,600 hospitalizations and anywhere from 100 to 150 deaths. Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are 90 percent effective at preventing the virus, according to the CDC.
While the chickenpox vaccine is recommended for students at SDSU, it is not required, according to the report.
More articles on infection control:
Zika linked to increase in life-threatening neurologic conditions among adults in Brazil
Top 10 infection control stories, Aug. 7-11
Rotavirus vaccinations saved the US at least $1.2B in medical costs, study shows