Possible Norovirus Outbreak Closes Wayne County Middle School

WYANDOTTE, MI — A Wyandotte middle school is closed Wednesday due to a possible norovirus outbreak, school officials said.

Wilson Middle School announced on social media that classes would be canceled Wednesday to help stop the potential spread of illness. All after-school sports and activities were canceled too.

School officials said the building will be disinfected.

It was unclear if the closure would extend pass Wednesday and how many students were and staff were affected by the illness.

Norovirus is highly contagious and is spread through direct contact with someone who is sick, sharing food or utensils with them, touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching their face or mouth, or by consuming contaminated foods or liquids.

Symptoms usually come on within 12 or 48 hours of becoming infected. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, but also may include fever, headache and body aches.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
• Crying with few or no tears
• Unusual sleepiness or fussiness

There’s no antiviral medication for norovirus. The most important thing is to make sure people who have it get plenty of liquids. People who have norovirus may vomit or have diarrhea several times a day and are at risk of dehydration — especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.