State health officials say there's been a spike in chickenpox cases on the Kenai Peninsula.

Nine cases were reported this month among unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children in Homer and Soldotna. That brings the total number of confirmed or probable cases to 50 this year statewide.

The state epidemiology department says in a release that the recently reported cases were among children who attend different schools, suggesting there are ongoing transmissions that will likely continue.

Health officials say children's immunization records should be reviewed, and recommended doses should be given to susceptible children. Anyone with symptoms should stay home until lesions crust over. The state also is reminding doctors to report cases to the epidemiology department.