Virus Hits 170+ Students, Staff At Elementary School In Greeley
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- More than one-third of the student population was out of class on Friday at Shawsheen Elementary School in Greeley.
"I had to keep them out yesterday and today," said parent Flevia Fargo.
About 170 students and four staff members were out of the school in the Greeley-Evans School District 6 on Friday because of some sort of gastro-intestinal virus.
"It just came out of nowhere, especially with my kids," said Fargo.
"They sent my grandson home today and I just took my other grandson in to the doctor and he's got it and it has given him an ear infection so far," said grandparent Tammy Sanberg.
The school typically has about 400 students roaming its halls but on Friday the halls were significantly less populated.
The school district did not close the school but has planned to conduct some deep cleaning over the weekend, disinfecting all surfaces. Crews will continue cleaning throughout next week until the spread of the illness is stopped.
Theresa Meyers with the Greeley-Evans School District 6 said they haven't been able to confirm what is making the students sick but don't believe it's come from anything particular at the school.
Sanberg told CBS4 she had been suffering from the bug for more than a week, "It's a booger. I've had it for nine days and the coughing is... my stomach muscles are killing me."
Eric Aako with the Weld County Health Department believes it could be norovirus, which is pervasive and very contagious. Aako recommends that students and staff who are sick should stay home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms are gone and wash their hands thoroughly.
"We urge parents to keep their children home if they are showing signs of illness," said District 6 Superintendent Deirdre Pilch in a statement. "With highly contagious illnesses, it is essential that students fully recover before they return to school. We need our families and our community to help us stay healthy."
Health experts recommend using a simple bleach solution to help get rid of the virus, mix one part bleach with 10 parts water.
