BURIEN, Wash. — School officials said dozens of students at Southern Heights Elementary in Burien were out sick with the stomach virus -- norovirus.
About 50 students and three staff members were out Friday with the virus. On Thursday, 24 kids were out sick.
The Highline School District contacted the King County Health Department and brought in crews to clean the school on Wednesday and Thursday night.
Cleaning crews cleaned out classrooms, bathrooms, halls, offices, etc. They will also be deep cleaning the school during the weekend.
Students don’t come back to school until Wednesday, due to mid-winter break. The school hopes this will give children time to get well. They are asking students to stay home until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
School officials said they have been working with Public Health officials to follow up on their recommendations.
Norovirus is the name of a group of viruses that is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) outbreaks. Symptoms start within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and symptoms include nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, chills, headache and muscle aches.