More than 250 students at a Long Island school have contracted drug-resistant norovirus
'24.03.2023'
Olga Derkach
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. Writes about it New York Post.
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 believes the dance may have been the cause of the outbreak, as several of his friends fell ill there.
According to officials, by Monday, March 20, more than 253 schoolchildren had not come to class, by Thursday, March 23, only 112 schoolchildren 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.
Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness from the virus usually lasts one to two days.
"It's a classic stomach bacterium, so it usually starts with abdominal pain, then it turns into vomiting and then diarrhea," said Suffolk County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott. "Very intense for a day or two, the illness 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 disinfected 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.
