Almost 100 students and staff at a Kansas elementary school have fallen ill after a norovirus outbreak ravaged the campus.
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Indeed, Bentwood Elementary School in Olathe, Kansas, had 95 incidents of students and staff getting sick linked to the virus, according to PEOPLE, citing a joint statement from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and Olathe Public Schools.
Furthermore, it appears the norovirus outbreak spread beyond the elementary school.
Per local outlet KCTV, 2 family members outside the school have come down with norovirus, too.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, typical symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Victims of the highly contagious virus may also experience body aches, stomach distress, a headache, or a fever. It's normally spread through contaminated food or through contact with those carrying the virus.
Norovirus usually runs its course in about one to three days, according to the outlet.
Two of the cases at the elementary school were confirmed via laboratory testing. Meanwhile, other cases were declared "epidemiologically linked," meaning experts consider the symptoms of those ill to be directly related.
"Bentwood Elementary first experienced student absences involving similar illness symptoms on October 8," the agencies' statement added, per PEOPLE.
Officials Believe They're Clear of the Elementary School Norovirus Outbreak
So far, no hospitalizations have been reported in connection with the norovirus outbreak.
Since Oct. 13, no new cases stemming from the outbreak have been reported. By Oct. 21, officials declared the concerning health crisis over.
"Throughout the outbreak, JCDHE worked closely with school officials to monitor illnesses, provide public health guidance, and help prevent further spread," the school district and health department explained in their joint statement.
"Although the outbreak is considered over, JCDHE and the Olathe Public Schools will continue to monitor the situation and work together to help protect the health of students, staff, and families," the agencies pointed out.
Meanwhile, infectious disease physician and medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, Dr. Dana Hawkinson, stressed that such outbreaks are common.
"It's very common to see outbreaks or clusters because this virus, when it is shed, again, through the fecal route, is very easy to contaminate places. So it is very important to wash your hands with soap and water to help decrease the contamination around," Hawkinson explained to KCTV. "But those viruses are very small. And so you don't know and understand when you have contact with them, especially if you're in a household."
