Gwinnett administrators close school because of possible outbreak

By D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Harmony Elementary School in Buford will be closed Friday because of a possible outbreak of gastroenteritis.

Gwinnett County Public Schools officials announced the closure after more than 10 percent of the campus' 640 students left the school with symptoms of the disease. Eight teachers also fell ill. Two others left to care for their own sick children.

"We are closing school tomorrow as recommended by the public health office because a number of students are showing symptoms of gastroenteritis," said Jorge Quintana, a spokesman for the Gwinnett school system. "Students arrived at school ill today, and as the day progressed, they checked out."

Approximately 130 students left with symptoms. The school will be shut down Friday as environmental services employees sanitize the building. Quintana said health officials are still trying to determine how the disease spread through the school

The illness, also known as the stomach flu, causes acute diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, it is a leading cause of death for children under 5. For many people, however, gastroenteritis is mild.

"Symptoms normally develop within one to two days of exposure," said Suleima Salgado, spokeswoman for East Metro Health District. "Most people get better within one to five days without medication."

Officials with the East Metro Health District will visit Harmony to try to determine the cause of the virus. It is usually spread through close contact -- by sharing drinks, eating utensils or by failing to wash hands after touching someone infected with it.

Health officials are looking for volunteers to share stool samples that can be analyzed. Parents can call 770-339-4260 for more information. Public health officials also will be collecting data from similar tests performed by students who visit their family physicians.

A letter was sent home with students to inform parents about the possible stomach flu outbreak and its symptoms to prevent its spread to other family members.