As Stomach Bug Closes Alexandria School, Fairfax County Officials Keep an Eye Out

With more than 200 students and dozens of staff at a City of Alexandria elementary school becoming sick with a stomach bug, Fairfax County school officials are keeping an eye out for similar illnesses striking in our area.

"We're certainly aware of what's going on in Alexandria, but we've seen nothing comparable here," said John Torre, spokesman for Fairfax County Public Schools. "We constantly keep an eye out."

A similar bug has been making the rounds in Harford County, MD.

In Alexandria, John Adams Elementary School was closed Friday so workers could spend the day and weekend cleaning and sanitizing the building.

Nearly 200 students and more than 30 staff members were hit with a stomach illness, and more were showing symptoms before school was canceled. The illness has caused nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.

This type of illness is usually highly contagious through contact with an infected person or through contact with contaminated food or objects, Alexandria school officials said.

The health department recommends that parents make sure their child washes his or her hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If a child develops vomiting or diarrhea, parents are asked to keep the sick child home for 24 hours after the symptoms stop.
In Fairfax County, Torre said, parents will be notified when a spike in illnesses is detected.