Dixon School Illness Remains Mystery
Onslow County, NC (United States):
Officials have ruled out serious illness as the cause of a recent jump in absences by staff and students at Dixon Elementary School.
On Monday George O'Daniel, director of the Onslow Health Department, said there was no serious biological contamination at the school. Local health officials tested the school's water supply, and performed various other tests, he said.
"We sent off samples to the state and checked the water," O'Daniel said. "Everything we knew to check as of today says the sickness was of unknown origin."
Health officials sent letters home to parents on Sept. 30, advising them of symptoms both teachers and students had experienced during the week. At one point, 140 people were absent from school. Symptoms of the illness, which lasted between one and three days, included nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
At that time, health officials advised parents and children to exercise proper hand-washing - using warm water and soap - to prevent the illness from spreading. They continue to recommend this as a precaution. Meanwhile, attendance is back to normal.
Officials were able to rule out E-coli, salmonella and the bacteria that causes shigellosis, she said.Reeves said it could have been a virus that is transmitted from person to person, so officials encourage residents to continue their emphasis on proper hand-washing techniques.
October 11,2005
Diane Mouskourie, Jacksonville Daily News, NC
Onslow County, NC (United States):
Officials have ruled out serious illness as the cause of a recent jump in absences by staff and students at Dixon Elementary School.
On Monday George O'Daniel, director of the Onslow Health Department, said there was no serious biological contamination at the school. Local health officials tested the school's water supply, and performed various other tests, he said.
"We sent off samples to the state and checked the water," O'Daniel said. "Everything we knew to check as of today says the sickness was of unknown origin."
Health officials sent letters home to parents on Sept. 30, advising them of symptoms both teachers and students had experienced during the week. At one point, 140 people were absent from school. Symptoms of the illness, which lasted between one and three days, included nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
At that time, health officials advised parents and children to exercise proper hand-washing - using warm water and soap - to prevent the illness from spreading. They continue to recommend this as a precaution. Meanwhile, attendance is back to normal.
Officials were able to rule out E-coli, salmonella and the bacteria that causes shigellosis, she said.Reeves said it could have been a virus that is transmitted from person to person, so officials encourage residents to continue their emphasis on proper hand-washing techniques.
October 11,2005
Diane Mouskourie, Jacksonville Daily News, NC
