OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A norovirus outbreak has sickened approximately 85 students and staff members at Bentwood Elementary School, prompting additional cleaning and increased monitoring by the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
Health officials confirmed the outbreak Wednesday, Oct. 21, after a sharp increase in illnesses at the school over the past week. Bentwood Elementary, located at 13000 Bond St. in Overland Park, is part of the Olathe Public Schools district. The school serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students.
Of the approximately 85 reported illnesses, two have been confirmed through laboratory testing. Health officials consider the remaining cases epidemiologically linked to the outbreak because those affected experienced similar symptoms during the same period and in the same school. That does not mean every student or staff member was individually tested for norovirus.
School officials began noticing unusually high absenteeism early last week as students reported similar gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea. The pattern prompted the district to coordinate with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment to determine what was causing the illnesses and how to prevent additional cases.
In a letter sent to families Monday, Oct. 19, school officials said attendance had already begun improving and that the number of absences had declined significantly. The school received additional cleaning and sanitation over the weekend, and officials said regular disinfection would continue using hospital-grade products effective against norovirus. Cleaning crews are paying particular attention to frequently touched surfaces, where the virus can spread from one person to another.
Norovirus is an extremely contagious stomach virus that can move quickly through schools, daycare centers and other places where people spend time in close contact. It commonly causes sudden vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure, and most people recover within one to three days, although dehydration can become a serious concern, particularly for young children.
The virus spreads through contact with infected people, contaminated surfaces or contaminated food and water. A person can spread norovirus even after beginning to feel better, making it especially difficult to contain in classrooms and other shared environments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone experiencing vomiting or diarrhea remain home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water is particularly important because alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not work well against norovirus. Families are also encouraged to disinfect contaminated surfaces and closely monitor sick children for signs of dehydration.
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is continuing to work with Olathe Public Schools to monitor the situation and provide guidance intended to limit additional illnesses.
Although the number of reported cases is significant, the school district’s announcement that absences have declined offers an encouraging indication that the initial surge of illnesses may be easing. Health officials have not publicly identified a specific source of the outbreak, and the number of reported cases does not establish that the illness originated from school meals or any particular activity.
Bentwood Elementary remains on its regular school schedule, and officials have not announced a closure related to the outbreak.
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