Norovirus could spread from Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - According to the Grant County Health District's Theresa Adkinson, the norovirus that made several people ill at Moses Lake's Longview Elementary School recently can spread to outlying areas like Royal City and Mattawa.

"It has the potential because it is a highly contagious illness that is spread by sharing space or coming into contact with a person who is ill with the virus or has recently been ill," Adkinson said.

Adkinson added that the school district has contained the illness well, following GCHD recommendations.

The Longview Elementary School stomach illness outbreak was reported early in May. The Health District received lab confirmation of norovirus from two specimens submitted to the Washington State Public Health Lab.

The source of this virus is unknown, Adkinson said. It's likely the illness was spread when individuals became sick at school and exposed others. There were isolated reports of stomach flu illness in the community prior to this outbreak.

The school's absentee rate was nearly 25 percent during the outbreak.

The Health District is receiving reports of pockets of students in other Moses Lake schools with stomach illnesses.

"This is not completely unexpected as norovirus is a highly contagious illness and other community members are ill with similar symptoms," Adkinson said.

If you become sick with a stomach virus, Adkinson said, it is important to stay home, stay away from well family members, clean bathroom and surfaces after use, drink plenty of fluids, don't prepare food for others, and wash your hands often.

Symptoms of norovirus usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may call the Grant County Health District Moses Lake Office at 509-766- 7960.