At least 15 inmates at the Half-Way Tree police lock-up have been quarantined following an outbreak of chicken pox at the station.

Head of the St Andrew Central police, Superindentent Derrick Knight, explained to THE STAR that, "we have isolated those persons ... at least 15 on the last count."

THE STAR also understands that all precautionary measures are being followed to prevent the disease from spreading among those inmates who have not been affected.

At the same time, inmates from that station who were to appear before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's court yesterday were noticeably absent as the police were not taking any chances to risk bringing them before the court.

Knight later explained to THE STAR that those who are affected will have to recover fully before they are rescheduled to appear before the court.

"The incubation period lasts for about 14 days, we are keeping those 15 persons from the court until the incubation period is up," Knight pointed out.

He also ensured that those affected have received medical treatment and made it clear that no police officers had contracted the disease.

It is unclear what was the source of the outbreak.