This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals norovirus virions, or virus particles. (CDC.gov)
School officials in Boston confirmed that an outbreak of Norovirus has sickened about 140 students and 10 staff.
An automated message was sent Tuesday to parents of students at the Condon Elementary School in South Boston, MyFoxBoston.com reported.
The school, which has 800 students and 65 staff, has worked with the Boston Public Health Commission and Inspection Services Department to sanitize the school, the report said.
Administrators are asking parents to keep sick children home until they are symptom free for 24 hours.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can be transmitted by contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Norovirus can occur in children and adults and causes 19-21 million illnesses each year, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, headache and body aches.
“We really push to make sure people are washing their hands, as it is the single most important way to make sure the virus doesn’t spread,” McKenzie Ridings, Boston Public Health Commission spokeswoman told the Boston Globe.
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