Nearly 200 Annapolis students become ill; Norovirus suspected

Nearly 200 Annapolis students become ill; Norovirus suspected

Posted: Updated:

By Taryn Asher
Fox 2 News Reporter


DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) -- 173 students and 17 teachers went home sick Wednesday after becoming violently ill at Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights, according to the Wayne County Health Department.

We're told it came on fast. Students had diarrhea and stomach cramps and were vomiting. Health officials suspect the norovirus may be to blame, which is a group of viruses that cause the inflammation of the stomach triggering those symptoms.

Superintendent Jeff Bartold said he didn't realize how bad it was until the absences were tallied at the end of the day. Right now the district is working to find the source.

"I've talked to the food service director, the company that handles or food service for us to make sure they do extra cleaning," he explained.

To determine if it is the norovirus, we're told Disease Control is collecting samples from students and will be sending them off to the Michigan Department of Community Health for testing.  Results should be back by next week.

In the meantime, the school district plans to take every precaution.  The superintendent is closing school on Friday so the building can be professionally cleaned. School will resume on Monday.

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