About 140 students and 10 staff members at Condon Elementary School in Boston have been sickened with suspected norovirus this week, according to CBS Boston. The principal of that school sent a message to parents Tuesday, telling them about the outbreak. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Outbreaks typically increase in the colder months, when more people spend more time indoors. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts for a few days. Teams were cleaning the school to try to stop the spread of the illness. Officials are asking parents to keep their children home from school if they are ill, and to keep them home until they have been completely symptom-free for 24 hours. To prevent the spread of norovirus, always wash your … [Read more...]
Sunny Delight, Others Asked to Stop Marketing In-School Junk Food
Center for Science in the Public Interest has asked Sunny Delight, maker of Sunny D beverage, to stop a program that encourages parents, teachers, and students to collect 20 labels of the product in exchange for foods. CSPI said that Sunny D "encourages families to consume a drink that promotes diabetes, weight gain, and other health problems." The beverage only includes 5% juice; the remaining ingredients are sugar; artificial sweeteners sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and neotame; high fructose corn syrup; sodium benzoate; dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6; and water, along with vitamins and other ingredients such as xanthan gum and canola oil. A 16-ounce bottle of Sunny D Tangy Original has almost 7 teaspoons of sugar. CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan said in a statement, … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Groveland Elementary School in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at the Groveland Elementary School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, according to WCCO. There is no mention of the outbreak on the MDH web site or the Groveland School web site. At least 46 students and four staff members missed school because of illness on Thursday, May 1, 2014, and another 21 stayed home on Friday. There is no word on any whether any of the patients have been hospitalized as a result of their illness. The source of the possible outbreak is not known, and officials do not know whether the illnesses are caused by norovirus or bacteria. The building was disinfected on Thursday, and then on Friday for a second time. The city of Minnetonka and the Hennepin County Health … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Closes Virginia School
An elementary school in Alexandria, Virginia closed last week after more than 200 students and 30 staff members were sickened with gastroenteritis symptoms. Local health officials believe the cause is norovirus, which is easily spread and very contagious. The school was closed on March 14, 2014 for cleaning and to have all shared surfaces disinfected. The school sent a letter to parents to tell them that some students experienced nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea on Wednesday, but when many more students became ill, they decided to close on Friday. The school was cleaned with a bleach and water solution, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems were turned off. HVAC units filters will be changed as part of the cleaning process. To help prevent the spread of … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Waipahu Elementary School in Hawaii was Food Poisoning
Public health officials in Hawaii are confirming that the outbreak of illness at the Waipahu Elementary School in Oahu last week was food poisoning. Apparently, spaghetti cooked the day before wasn't properly reheated the day it was served, which created an environment for bacterial growth. Carbohydrates such as spaghetti and rice can contain bacteria. When they are cooked, bacterial spores are activated. When the foods are not properly refrigerated and reheated to a safe temperature, bacteria can easily grow. Peter Oshiro, head of the Department of Health Sanitation Branch said in a statement, "an inspection and interviews with cafeteria employees revealed food preparation violations that could be corrected with proper training and follow through." More than thirty children were … [Read more...]
