NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Newton County elementary school will be closed Friday because of a virus outbreak.
Newton County School officials say the large number of students at Oak Hill Elementary School have shown symptoms of gastroenteritis.
The health department recommended closing the school, cleaning it thoroughly and monitoring students who have become ill.
Symptoms of the virus include diarrhea and vomiting. The health department says the symptoms usually develop 24-48 hours after exposure. Most people get better in one to 10 days without medication.
Parents received letters about the closure Thursday night.
Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri spoke to one parent who said she picked up her child early and she saw several sick kids at the school.
Marie Cruse said the school sent her daughter, Anzlee Mandrona home early when she wasn't feeling well after lunch.
"They went ahead and sent her home for precautionary measures, which was fine because we understand. We'd rather be safe than sorry," Cruse said. "It's a really bad virus it lasts anywhere from 1 to 10 days."
Victor Azar's grandkids go to Oak Hill and told him there were only a handful of students in class.
"It's quick to nip it in the bud before you have the entire school out with it," he said.
Mandrona, meanwhile, said she's feeling better but her mom is keeping an eye on her. The district wants parents to keep sick kids home until they're without symptoms for a full day.
Newton County schools posted the following statement on their Facebook page Thursday:
NEWS ALERT: OAK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOSED TOMORROW (FRIDAY)
Oak Hill Elementary School Closed Tomorrow Due to Outbreak of Gastroenteritis
Based on the recommendation of public health officials, Oak Hill Elementary School will be closed for both students and staff tomorrow, Friday, December 12 due to an outbreak of gastroenteritis. The Newton County Health Department recommended the closure as a large number of Oak Hill students have shown symptoms of the virus.
Gastroenteritis often causes diarrhea and/or vomiting. According to Health Department officials, these symptoms usually develop in one to two days after exposure and most people get better in one to 10 days without medication.
Please be assured that we are working very closely with the Newton County Health Department as we follow their recommendations for cleaning the school and for monitoring students who have become ill. In order to protect your family from this illness, health officials also recommend the following precautions:
• Watch your child and members of your family to see if they develop diarrhea, and/or vomiting.
• If your child develops diarrhea, contact your child's physician. Inform your doctor that students diagnosed with gastroenteritis attend your child's school.
• Encourage your child and family members to thoroughly wash their hands before preparing or eating food, after using the toilet, and upon returning home from school in the afternoons.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers often are NOT effective against these types of viruses so be sure to use soap and water when washing your hands.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your child's physician. You may also contact the Newton County Health Department at (770) 339-4260.
We anticipate that school will be held at Oak Hill Elementary School as usual on Monday, December 15. However, if your child exhibits symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea on Sunday, December 14, please keep them home until they are symptom-free without medication for 24 hours.
WSBTV
