Schools

Over 100 Sickened At Puyallup School By Suspected Norovirus

Approximately 100 students were absent from school last week, which prompted a cleaning of the school.

PUYALLUP, WA - Over 100 Zeiger Elementary School students, about one-eighth the total population, were absent from school last week. The prime suspect: norovirus, a nasty gastrointestinal illness that spreads easily from person to person.

In response, the Puyallup School District sent letters home to parents with tips on how to prevent the spread of norovirus, Chief Communications Officer Dr. Brian Fox told Patch.

School staff also cleaned the building over the weekend. Fox said Zeiger's absences were back to normal levels on Monday.

Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Norovirus spreads easily in enclosed spaces. It can live on surfaces, but is also commonly transferred through food, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Schools around the U.S. deal with outbreaks from time to time - Seattle's John Muir Elementary was closed in March due to a norovirus outbreak, for example.

Fox said that having more than 100 students absent at one time, however, is "pretty rare" for the district.

Find out what's happening in Puyallupfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Image via Centers for Disease Control

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