Teachers also affected

Virus almost paralyzes elementary school: 40 children sick

A gastrointestinal infection is currently almost paralyzing a school.

(Bild: APA/Eva Manhart)

Due to a sudden gastrointestinal infection, 40 children and five teachers at an elementary school in the Salzburg district of Parsch stayed at home on Thursday. The public health department suspects noroviruses to be the cause of the outbreak.

On the instructions of the public health department, cleaning staff are now disinfecting surfaces in the affected school and hand sanitizer is being made available to staff, explained the head of the municipal health department, Rainer Pusch. Parents will be informed of the situation by the management. 

Experts agree that the food supplied by the Hellbrunn retirement home to many of the city's children's education and care facilities is unlikely to be responsible for the outbreak. The public health department suspects noroviruses to be the cause of the sudden outbreak.

40 children sick

(Bild: APA/Eva Manhart)

No vaccination
There is no vaccination against noroviruses, explained Pusch. They are transmitted via droplet or smear infection. Appropriate hygiene, including hand disinfection, is therefore important. Frequent hand washing should never be forgotten anyway.

The disease itself begins with severe diarrhea and vomiting, according to the head of the public health department. This is often accompanied by abdominal and muscle pain, a slight fever and headaches. "The symptoms usually subside completely after a few days." However, medical help should be sought if symptoms persist and the state of health deteriorates.