DELAWARE CO., OH (WCMH) — Three students at Olentangy Orange High School have tested positive for norovirus, the Delaware General Health District said.
The students had recently traveled out of state. The Olentangy Orange marching band traveled to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta to perform, where, according to the band director, several students got sick.
“Typically, this is the time of year where we start to see an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses, and this seems to fall right in line with that,” said Travis Irvan, program manager of disease prevention at the Delaware General Health District.
Irvan, an epidemiologist, said that because the illnesses were contracted in another state, his district was just assisting with the outbreak. He said the state health department notified his district there was an increase of illness among kids who had traveled.
“We looked into it, notified the school involved, worked with the school to drop off some sample kits,” Irvan said. “Three of those samples were collected and submitted to our state lab department for testing.”
Those three samples tested positive for norovirus, also called the stomach flu. According to Irvan, the virus can cause “intense” vomiting and diarrhea for 12 to 24 hours and is common in Ohio this time of year.
“Norovirus can occur among schools or any other close-knit group, any sport teams, clubs or churches, you name it,” Irvan said. “Norovirus can spread very easily, person to person.”
Most people recover without any complications, although “medically fragile” people such as the elderly and infants can have more difficulty.
“The best prevention we have is washing your hands with soap and water before eating, after going to the bathroom, and if you are sick, stay home and that will prevent any further spread of illness,” Irvan said.
“I heard it was disgusting what they had to go through,” said Kevin Burt, a senior at Olentangy Orange. “[It] just sucked for them.
Burt said he didn’t personally know anyone who got sick on the band trip but that he’s seen how the school has handled it since.
“Basically, just at school, they’re just telling us to keep clean,” Burt said. “Hand sanitizer’s everywhere now.”
He added, “No one really seems like bothered by it. It’s just like sick season anyway, so yeah, not really worried.”
In addition to normal cleaning, a spokesperson said the district is concentrating on cleaning high-traffic areas. The district sent a letter home earlier in the week, before the cases were confirmed, saying that there were ill students in the district and encouraging handwashing.
Dear Olentangy families,
There has been a number of suspected gastrointestinal illness (GI) among our students and teachers in some of our schools. While not uncommon, gastrointestinal illnesses are contagious and can spread from person to person in close contact situations such as schools, day cares and households.
Symptoms of a GI illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes headache or fever. A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the illness. Most people with a GI illness get better within 1 to 3 days but are contagious for a few days after symptoms have ended.
Proper and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent illness. Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, preparing food, and before eating. To minimize the spread of illness disinfect all contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and thoroughly wash all soiled clothes and linens. Stay home if you are ill and do not prepare food for others until 2-3 days after symptoms have ended. Individuals who are sick and work in a sensitive occupation such as a healthcare provider, daycare provider or food handler should not return to work until 24 hours after symptoms have subsided.
If you have any questions, please contact your school’s nurse.
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