Outbreak of Highly Contagious Gastrointestinal Illness Shuts Down Alabama School
Over 1,200 students were absent from schools in an Alabama district on Wednesday due to a rapid and highly contagious gastrointestinal illness that swept through the area. The outbreak has prompted officials to shut down a specific school for the remainder of the week while the state Department of Public Health investigates the virus and its spread.
Concerns Prompt School Closure
Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent, Eddie Tyler, sent a letter to parents, stating, “Due to the amount of staff and students who are absent, the number who are experiencing symptoms, and in an effort to help contain the contagion, we unfortunately need to shut the building down.” This decision aims to minimize the spread of the illness and allow for thorough sanitation of the school before students return.
Health officials have yet to identify the specific virus responsible for the outbreak, referring to it only as a “gastrointestinal outbreak”.
Impact on Fairhope West Elementary
Out of the affected schools, Fairhope West Elementary was hit the hardest. Though only 24 students out of the 866 students were absent due to illness on Tuesday, the number drastically increased overnight. The following day, a mere 145 students and only half the faculty showed up for class, reflecting the severity of the outbreak.
Health officials suspect the norovirus, a highly contagious virus known to cause intense symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It is easily transmitted through shared food and water, as well as contaminated surfaces. Although the virus has not been formally identified, the school officials are treating it as a norovirus outbreak.
Cautionary Measures and Further Impact
Other neighboring schools also witnessed a substantial number of student absences due to the outbreak. In total, several hundred students were absent from various schools, further increasing concerns about the virus’s spread. Schools encouraged parents to keep their children at home as a precautionary measure to prevent further infections.
While the investigation continues, infected students and staff from the affected schools are experiencing symptoms varyingly. Nausea, vomiting, and the onset of the illness occurred rapidly, propelling the need for immediate action to contain the outbreak and protect the wider community from additional infections.
Efforts to Mitigate the Outbreak
As part of the containment strategy, the affected school will undergo a thorough deep cleaning to ensure a sanitized environment upon students’ return. Baldwin County school officials are fully committed to preventing the spread of the virus and mitigating the impact on students and staff.
The investigation by the state Department of Public Health will provide further details on the nature of the virus. Health officials emphasize the importance of practicing good hygiene and adhering to recommended preventive measures to minimize the risk of infection in the affected community.
