Howard County elementary school sees increase in gastrointestinal illnesses
COLUMBIA -- The Howard County Health Department identified an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses at Cradlerock Elementary School, officials said Monday.
Some students and staff members have experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever and abdominal cramps, according to officials.
Officials said gastrointestinal illnesses can spread from person to person quickly through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
"If you have a child at school, you know that they're going to get sick every three to four weeks," said Dr. Scott Krugman, a pediatrician with LifeBridge Health. "One week will be the sore throat, the next will be the runny nose and cough, and this week will be the vomiting and diarrhea."
School officials recommend that children stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.
"It's probably norovirus which is very easily transmissible in a school environment. You'll get outbreaks of a bunch of kids at a time in a classroom or in a school," Krugman said.
The illnesses can spread by:
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects then putting your hands near your mouth
- Having direct contact with another person who is sick or showing symptoms
- Sharing food or drinks with others
Officials said the best way to prevent infection is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Frequently clean high-contact surfaces like door handles or countertops with bleach or disinfectant
- Keep sick people home until 24 hours after symptoms subside
"Especially for gastrointestinal illnesses, the hand-washing is No. 1," Krugman said. "And making sure kids aren't sharing liquids and lunches and things like that, which can also pass it along."
Student Health
The warning comes just after 18 students became sick during mass at a Harford County school Monday.
Several students were removed from John Carroll School on stretchers and put into ambulances after becoming sick in the school's auditorium.
School officials ended Mass early, but students were not dismissed for another 20 minutes. It is unclear what caused the sudden illness.
Preventing Cold-Related Illness
Officials with the Maryland Department of Health recently urged residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, like hypothermia and frostbite, as temperatures begin to drop.
Officials suggest:
- Covering your head and mouth as well as your ears and lower parts of your face when going outside in cold weather
- Wearing several layers of lightweight clothing to act as insulation
- Wearing mittens rather than gloves to keep your hands warmer
- Wearing waterproof boots and heavy socks to keep your feet warm and dry