Minnesota - Norovirus outbreak in schools

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Flu outbreak at Robbinsdale Middle School is short-lived

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BY SUE WEBBER ? SUN NEWSPAPERS
Published: Friday, February 26, 2010 3:19 PM CST

A widespread outbreak of flu at Robbinsdale Middle School last week began and ended quickly, according to Principal Tom Henderlite.

He said the mini-epidemic of a stomach ailment came "right out of the blue," resulting in 325 of the school's 1,454 students being absent on Feb. 18, and 150 students absent on Feb. 19.

"Kids got sick pretty quickly, but also came out of it pretty quickly," Henderlite said. "It really exploded on Wednesday night."

Six staff members were absent from school with stomach flu-like symptoms on Feb. 18, Henderlite said, and about a dozen staffers missed school on Feb. 19 because of illness.

Attendance at the school was back to normal by Monday, Feb. 22, Henderlite said.

The cause of the sudden illness is not known, though Henderlite said it likely was a norovirus, characterized by vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea that lasts 24 to 48 hours.

"Our nurse contacted the Hennepin County Health Department and the State Department of Health, and they came out and met with Mary Betlach, our cook manager," Henderlite said. "They gave us a clean bill of health in the cafeteria. We have met all the rules we need to meet.

"We have a fair amount of confidence it was a virus and not food-related."

http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2010/02/26/headlines/57rs04rmsflu.txt

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Re: Minnesota - Norovirus outbreak in schools

Norovirus outbreak sickens Renville County students

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Tom Cherveny
West Central Tribune
<!--date-->Updated: 05/14/2010 01:42:16 PM CDT
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A Norovirus outbreak has sickened students in the Renville County West school district.

Over 60 students were absent from school on Thursday with symptoms of the disease, most of them in the elementary school, according to information from the district office.

Attendance figures for today were not available this morning. Substitute teachers were filling in for many sickened teachers, and the replacements were unfamiliar with the attendance reporting system.

The virus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, but most people recover in 24 to 48 hours, according to Jill Bruns, Renville County public health director.

She said an investigation by her office and the Minnesota Department of Health has ruled out food as the cause of the outbreak in the school.

Students in the elementary school's physical education program appear to have been the first stricken by the disease, possibly by sharing a baseball bat that had been handled by an infected person.

The virus is rampant in Minnesota right now, and is readily spread, said Bruns. Someone could easily have picked up the disease from a doorknob, shopping cart or other object, became infected and inadvertently spread it at the school.

Bruns commended the school for being quick to report the disease and taking action that can help stop its spread.

The virus is long-lasting in the environment. Washing surfaces with hot water and detergent is usually not enough to sterilize it. Bruns recommends using a solution of bleach to disinfect surfaces that could be contaminated.

She advises anyone who may have the symptoms of the virus to remain home and not spread the disease. People should always wash their hands with soap and warm water.

The main concern with the disease is that it can cause dehydration, with young children, seniors and people with other health issues most at risk.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15087233?nclick_check=1