More Than 200 Humble ISD Elementary Students Stricken With Mystery Illness

HUMBLE, TX -- The number Humble ISD students who’ve fallen ill with virus-like symptoms has grown from more than 80 students who were sent home Wednesday, to more than 200 who stayed home Thursday.

More than 78 students who attend Woodland Hills Elementary didn’t show up for school Wednesday, with others being sent home after experiencing stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

On Thursday, the campus, which has a capacity of nearly 600 students, was missing 205 students and five staff members who’d fallen ill with this bug.

On Wednesday, Humble ISD issued the following statement:

"Woodland Hills Elementary had an unusually high absence rate today. Seventy-eight children were absent and more were sent home ill. Vomiting and diarrhea appear to be common symptoms. At this point, the cause of the illness is not known. No other campuses have reported unusual numbers of absences.”

Humble ISD custodial staff was advised to thoroughly disinfect the school and common surfaces, such as door knobs, water fountains and other common areas touched by students and staff.

Humble ISD also used special equipment to fog the interior of the school building with an antibacterial and virucidal mist, which will continue until students and staff no longer have virus-like symptoms.

The school’s kitchen was also thoroughly sanitized, however, school district officials said
All buses used by Woodland Hills Elementary students were also being fogged and sterilized with the same solution used in the school.

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In the school kitchen, every surface is being sanitized with a bleach solution,and has received clearance, but school lunches were prepared off campus and brought in as a precaution.

Officials at Humble ISD said they are unaware of where the illness originated, but it doesn’t appear other school campuses have been affected by this illness.

Meanwhile, the district has notified the Harris County Health Department has a precaution, who’ve asked to speak with parents to help determine where the illness came from and determine if any additional steps need to be taken for prevention.

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