Southern Nevada Health District Investigates Possible Norovirus Outbreak At Elementary School

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District said on Monday that they think an outbreak of stomach bugs at a local elementary school was caused by norovirus.

The Southwest Nevada Health District (SNHD) is looking into the outbreak at Wayne N. Tanaka Elementary School in the southwest Las Vegas valley. Based on the first lab results, this is what they think.

In a news release, the Health District said, “Norovirus is very contagious and spreads from person to person.” Health officials say it can be spread by direct contact with an infected person, by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by touching a contaminated surface and then putting unwashed hands in the mouth.

The Clark County School District confirmed that a letter was sent to parents in the last week of January to let them know about the outbreak. The school’s principal said that administrators were working with SNHD and the district’s Health Services Department to stop more illnesses.

The health district and CCSD didn’t say how many students or staff were sickened by the virus.

The Health District says, “At this time, a final count of how many people got sick because of this outbreak has not been confirmed.”

Health officials say that most people get better from norovirus in one to three days. Symptoms usually show up 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Stomach sickness often causes diarrhea, vomiting, feeling sick, and stomach pain. People who are sick may also have a fever, a headache, and body aches.

The SNHD says that the best way to avoid getting norovirus is to wash your hands well with soap and running water, especially after going to the bathroom or changing a baby’s diaper and before eating, drinking, cooking, or handling food.

“The Clark County School District and the Health District are still working together closely on this investigation,” officials said.

Credits: KTNV