Livonia School Shuts Down After Norovirus Outbreak

LIVONIA, MI — Administrators at St. Michaels Catholic School in Livonia were forced to cancel classes this week after numerous students fell ill with a highly contagious stomach virus, the district said.

In a message sent to families Wednesday evening, Co-principal Kathy Nold said multiple students were throwing up well before lunchtime on Tuesday and then 10 students from one class began throwing up within a four-hour window on Wednesday.

To prevent any further spread of the illness, all classes are canceled until Tuesday, Feb. 14 to allow maintenance staff to disinfect the classrooms and wipe down all handrails, door knobs and other surfaces.

"By closing school now, we will give those sick students an opportunity to get well and no longer be contagious to others," the co-principal continued in her letter. "I hope that you as parents understand that I do not make this decision lightly, but I know it is the right thing to do."

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. People with the virus are highly contagious for at least three days after a person recovers from symptoms.

The virus passes easily and quickly by having direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water and touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth, according to the CDC.

Most people recover from the virus, but health officials warn some cases could become severe, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with other medical illnesses are most at risk for more severe or prolonged infection.

More than 109,000 people are hospitalized with the virus every year. At least 900 people die, according to the CDC.