Classes resume Thursday at Wyandotte's Wilson Middle School after "potential norovirus outbreak"
The Wyandotte Public Schools district says classes at Wilson Middle School will resume on Thursday after officials closed the school due to a "potential norovirus outbreak."
In an emailed statement to CBS News Detroit on Wednesday, Superintendent James Anderson said about 50 of the 900 students reported feeling ill on Tuesday. Anderson says the school was going through a deep cleaning, with the building disinfected per recommendations from health officials.
When asked how the virus could have spread in the school, Anderson said, "We have no idea, and it is important to note that this is the speculated cause of the issues. We do not have definitive proof that it was a virus, but we're advised to treat it as such as a precautionary measure. The health department is still working to gather information."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is a contagious virus that can cause inflammation of the stomach. The illness is sometimes called the "stomach flu," however, it is not related to the influenza virus. The virus can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, eating contaminated food or drinks and touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Symptoms can develop between 12 hours and 48 hours after exposure and include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache and body aches. Anyone infected is at risk of experiencing dehydration, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy.
To slow down the spread, the CDC urges people to wash their hands often, cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, wash laundry with hot water and for anyone sick to stay home for at least two days after the symptoms stop.
Anderson advises parents to keep their children home if they have not been free of symptoms for 48 hours.