40 Texas Students, 8 Teachers Stricken With Unknown Illness

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40 Texas Students, 8 Teachers Stricken With Unknown Illness

NBC5i.com

8-30-2

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Tarrant County Health Department is investigating

what made 40 students and eight teachers sick at Glen Park Elementary in

southeast Fort Worth. Students went home from school armed with letters

telling parents not to be alarmed. But still, some moms and dads remain

cautious.

Concerned parent Marshelle Speed said, " If everybody is sick, and the

teachers are sick, yes, I'm worried something is going wrong. "

The Tarrant County Health Department sent in a team of epidemiologists that

quickly ruled out the possibility of tainted food in the school cafeteria.

Dr. Bobby , of the Tarrant County Health Department, said, " They have

all been having the same symptoms. " Most of the students complained of

nausea, vomiting and fever.

The health department determined that it is a stomach virus that was passed

person to person.

" The children also have been mixed between classes, mixed between age

groups, and it seemed to be clustering in family units, " said.

The school district is closely monitoring the situation, but at this time

there are no plans to close the school.

Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Tocco said,

" Our plan is, however, to be vigilant and to keep a close eye on the

situation in there. There doesn't seem to be any sense of panic. "

Health experts said the best way to avoid gastrointestinal problems is to

maintain good hygiene, wash hands frequently, get plenty of rest and consume

plenty of fluids.