2/1/23

Dear Carnation Elementary Parents & Staff,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of multiple students reporting gastrointestinal illness. Public Health – Seattle & King County has been in contact with Carnation Elementary and has begun a collaborative investigation & response plan.

The symptoms have been similar to those of norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks. People who have norovirus infection are typically sick for 1-2 days (though some may not totally recover for several days). Because norovirus infection is easily transmitted from person to person, we recommend you follow these guidelines to prevent spread:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toileting and before eating or preparing food. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with feces or vomitus (use hot water and soap).
• Persons who are experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness can be contagious for a few days after they are feeling better. Therefore, students should not attend class and staff should not work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

If you have symptoms of a more serious illness, please contact your health care provider.  For more information about norovirus, including the fact sheet in different languages, go to our website at https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/norovirus.aspx

Sincerely,

Andrea Kosters, RN

kostersa@rsd407.org

425-844-4596

From the Nurse’s Office:

We are seeing a large number of students sick with stomach flu symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Per our district policy, students with vomiting or diarrhea must stay home for 24hrs after flu like symptoms have resolved completely.

Things you can do to reduce transmission:

– Keep your student home when they are not feeling well

– Proper hand washing

– Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

When to keep your child home or when your child might be sent home:

• Students with a fever of 100° F or higher should stay home for at least 24 hours and not attend school until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications
• Students with a cough, congestion, or sore throat, especially with a fever, should stay home from school until at least 24 hours after flu-like symptoms have resolved
• Vomiting or diarrhea, until symptom free for 24 hours
• Pink eye, with or without drainage, until treated
• Body rash

Thank you for all you do to keep our school healthy

Andrea Kosters, RN

425-844-4596

Kostersa@rsd407.org