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A Long Island school has been hit by a drug-resistant norovirus that has seen more than 250 students fall ill. The virus is highly contagious and its symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, while an outbreak in the area last year infected around 200 people. The source of the new infection has not been identified, and health officials are investigating whether it may have been spread through contaminated food at the school’s cafeteria. However, they say hand washing is the best measure against norovirus and those affected should not prepare food for two days after displaying symptoms.
More than 250 students at a Long Island school have contracted drug-resistant norovirus
More than 250 students at a Long Island school have fallen ill as a result of an outbreak of highly contagious and drug-resistant norovirus. The New York Post writes about it.
It all started at a dance party on March 17th at Babylon High School, when the students started vomiting.
“My brother went to the dance and said that everyone was sick – he only lasted 10 minutes there,” said Kate Schmitt.
Another student said he thought the dance might have been the cause of the outbreak, as several of his friends got sick there.
According to officials, by Monday, March 20, more than 253 students of the school did not come to classes, by Thursday, March 23, only 112 students were absent.
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On Saturday, March 18, the school district sent out a warning to parents asking them not to let their children go to school if they develop any stomach problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The illness from the virus usually lasts one to two days.
“It’s a classic stomach bacterium, so it’s usually stomach pain, then it turns into vomiting, then diarrhea,” Suffolk County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott said. “Very intense for a day or two, then the disease just goes away as quickly as it came.”
The virus is spread by contact with infected people, contaminated food and surfaces.
Over the weekend, staff worked to disinfect surfaces in the school building.
Health officials were sent to the school to find out if the virus was being spread through contaminated food from the cafeteria, but found no evidence that this was the source.
Experts say the best defense against norovirus and other stomach infections is frequent and adequate handwashing with soap and water. Those who are sick should not prepare food for others for two days after the onset of symptoms.
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