Health officials are warning about a chicken pox outbreak at a Clearwater elementary school.

Eight students at Plumb Elementary School have the virus, and the school is now asking students who have not been vaccinated to stay home.

Parents don't seem too worried about the illness.

"I'm not really all that concerned," parent Tammy Stebbins said. "You know as long as you take proper care of the child, if they get it, it's not really that big of a deal."

"I think your children should be vaccinated against harmful diseases to protect themselves and the children around them," parent Amanda Tavernia said.

Parents received a letter last Friday from school officials. Students who haven't been vaccinated have to stay home for 21 days, which is how long it takes for symptoms to show.

Chicken pox, which is also known as varicella, is an infectious disease that is spread person-to-person or through contact with the fluid on the sores on the person's skin.

Healthy officials say 38 cases were reported in Pinellas County and 743 in Florida in 2015. Cases have rise from 16 in 2012 to 38 at the end of last year.

A rash is sometimes the first sign of the virus in children. Children who are not vaccinated will have crusty lesions on the head, body and extremities, in addition to fever and other complications.

Children with immune-compromised systems may experience more serious symptoms. Other complications may include infected lesions, pneumonia or even death.

Health officials continue to investigate the outbreak. They recommend that parents vaccinate infants and children at their health care provider's office or at a health department location.