425 sick at home with suspected stomach virus; 4-day closure expected to end its spread

Macon County School District sent all of its students home on Wednesday, February 9, 2005, and announced it would be closed for the rest of the week as the number of students suffering from an intestinal ailment continued to rise.

From the outset, absenteeism continued to increase each day with about 425 students or 12% of the county's enrollment absent on Wednesday, February 9. And in the first two hours of classes, almost another dozen reported nausea and vomiting.

The intestinal illness, suspected to be caused by a norovirus, has been spreading in the county's schools. "We were hoping that this was slowly but surely going to go away," director of schools Mike Prock said. It became obvious, however, that it was only getting worse with principals, teachers and maintenance employees also becoming sick -- so he decided to close school for the rest of the week.

School nurses said the action should halt the spread of the illness and allow those stricken to get better.

Macon County Health Department officials say the symptoms suggest the virus or similar noroviruses, which cause an estimated 23 million cases nationwide each year of what is sometimes called "stomach flu." Most such infections go unremarked unless they affect a large group.

Other school districts are also reporting unusual absenteeism, with evidence suggesting it is spreading through the Upper Cumberland area. It appears that no one has been hospitalized or become seriously ill.

These type viruses typically last a day or so, though people can remain contagious for a couple of days after recovery.

Health officials advised families to wash hands regularly and replace toothbrushes to help halt the spread of the illness.

Areas contaminated by vomit or diarrhea should be cleaned and disinfected, either with a commercial product containing bleach or a solution of a half cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water. Kitchen and bathroom countertops and surfaces also should be periodically wiped down with disinfectant.

Charles Biles, Macon County Supervisor of Attendance, said "This week the outbreak has seemed to become stabilized with only 4% absenteeism on Monday and 7%-8% absent on Tuesday, February 15. Red Boiling Springs seems to be getting hit a little harder this week reporting the highest absenteeism rate."