Norovirus keeps Arlington students home

Published 10:26 pm Thursday, May 14, 2009

ARLINGTON — More than 200 students from an Arlington elementary school missed class Thursday following an apparent outbreak of the norovirus, which causes symptoms similar to the stomach flu.

The 218 students absent Thursday represent about 40 percent of the student body at Eagle Creek Elementary School.

“We believe 60 of those children are home as a precautionary measure or due to illness other than the norovirus,” said Misti Gilman, an Arlington School District spokeswoman.

So far, it appears the outbreak is isolated to the elementary school, but “we are watching all of our schools real closely,” she said.

Public health officials said the symptoms reported are consistent with norovirus, which is the name for a group of viruses that can spread quickly in places with close quarters, such as child-care centers, schools and cruise ships.

Most people get better within one or two days and have no long-term health effects, although dehydration can occur and result in hospitalization, according to the Snohomish Health District.

Schools contact the health district when 10 percent of students are absent because of illness.

On Wednesday, 100 students were absent and 25 more were sent home during the school day.

Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, chills, headaches and muscle aches.

Treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids and rest. Neither antibiotics nor antiviral medicines are effective in treating norovirus, health experts said.

While some people might associate the norovirus with the flu, Gilman said health officials are emphasizing that the gastrointestinal infection is not the swine flu, which has been blamed for serious illness and three deaths across the country.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.