The Cincinnati Health Department confirmed students at Mt. Airy Elementary School began complaining of vomiting, diarrhea and cramps — symptoms associated with the norovirus — in mid-January. Since then, between 150 and 200 cases have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that norovirus spreads from person to person, through contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.
The school sent two letters home to parents warning of the virus — one last week and another Wednesday.
The norovirus has become infamous in the past few years due to well-publicized outbreaks on cruise ships.
Signs and symptoms of norovirus infection include:
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Abdominal cramps
Watery or loose diarrhea
Weight loss
Malaise
Low-grade fever
The CDC says that while the virus can be debilitating, it rarely causes serious problems. Doctors warn to guard against dehydration, especially among the very young and very old.