St. Joseph School experiences flu outbreak

11/10/2011

With nearly a quarter of St. Joseph’s School students absent from the Sylvania school with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is investigating an outbreak of stomach flu primarily among fifth graders and their siblings.

There were 150 of 670 students absent on Wednesday and 147 on Thursday, but no students were hospitalized, and they are recovering rapidly from the noro-like virus, said Larry Vasko, deputy health commissioner.

The school is working with the health department and making various moves, such as shutting down water fountains and doing extra cleaning, he said.

“I would not keep my kids home because of this,” Mr. Vasko said. “Hand washing is really important.”

Frequent hand washing and other proper hygiene, such as covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, will help keep the outbreak from spreading, according to the health department.