Illness outbreak affects 400 people in Nevada schools

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness has sickened nearly 400 people at 10 Nevada public schools and several daycare centers.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports (http://on.rgj.com/1N8Qple) that Washoe County health officials said Thursday that they are working to document and contain the outbreak.

Sick students and faculty have been warned to stay home.

The county dealt with another outbreak in 2012 when hundreds of school children were sickened by gastrointestinal illness. The outbreak died down when schools closed for Christmas break and staff was able to perform thorough cleanings.

The bacteria and viruses that cause the illness enter the body through the mouth. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.