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Norovirus Behind School Closure in Kansas

CDC/Charles D. Humphrey

Kansas health officials say the outbreak of nausea and diarrhea that closed a suburban Kansas City elementary school last week was caused by norovirus. Rosehill Elementary School in Lenexa, Kan. was closed last Thursday and Friday after 40 students and a handful of staff went home on Wednesday.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has identified norovirius as the cause of the widespread nausea and diarrhea.

Nancy Tausz is in charge of disease containment at the Johnson County Health Department. According to Tausz, norovirus is extremely contagious "either through vomiting, diarrhea, just from hands, picking it up. (It's) very contagious, it just passes from person to person very quickly."

She says that's why it's important for sick people to stay home and everyone to wash their hands thoroughly and often.

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