Norovirus-Like Illness Sickens at Least 125 Students, School Officials Say
Dozens of students were sent home after they started showing symptoms.
— -- North Carolina school officials said they are investigating an outbreak of an unknown illness, possibly the norovirus, that left dozens of students and some staff members sick.
At least 125 students were sent home from three schools in the Person County School District on Wednesday after reports of symptoms including a low-grade fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Local health officials said in a statement the symptoms were similar to norovirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention has asked for samples to determine the cause of the outbreak.
School officials asked anyone with symptoms to stay home for at least 48 hours.
Jennifer Purdie, whose daughter attends a school where three students became ill, told ABC station WTVD in Raleigh, North Carolina, that she was concerned that the school was remaining open.
"I was talking with a lot of the other parents and we're really upset and concerned that they're not closing the school down at least until Friday," Purdie said.
The Person County School Superintendent said Wednesday that the affected schools were sanitized after classes ended on Wednesday and that school would remain open as normal.
Norovirus is a common virus that affects the gastrointestinal system and can spread widely. Every year the virus leads to between 19 million and 21 million illnesses and 570 to 800 deaths, according to the CDC.