A norovirus outbreak has been reported at the Hampstead Central and Middle Schools in Hampstead, New Hampshire. The school is posting a daily tally on the number of students sick with a “stomach bug”. Norovirus is also called viral gastroenteritis. The school calls the outbreak “significant numbers of students and absences.” Staff members are enacting … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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. … Read more
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 … Read more