According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than 100 people are sick after eating at a football banquet on December 8, 2014. The banquet was held at the Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia that is just outside of Atlanta. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Those symptoms could be indicative of many types of foodborne illness. The outbreak is being investigated by public health officials, but no causes have been identified. Investigators are interviewing patients and looking at the foods served at the banquet. One mother said her son was diagnosed with Salmonella, but that conclusion is not definitive.
The school’s principal sent a letter to football players and their parents informing them of the outbreak. The letter stated that “please notify the school if a medical diagnosis is made in an effort to help us stay abreast of this situation and monitor any additional cases. We also want to make sure we are doing all we can to prevent further spread of any illnesses.”
The illness could be norovirus, which is very common this time of year. All foodborne illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria can be prevented by staying home when you’re sick and washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and changing diapers. Always wash hands well with soap and water before preparing or serving food for others or before eating. And always disinfect surfaces with a bleach solution after someone has been ill.
