Creekview Middle School in Saginaw, Texas, will close on Friday, February 27, due to a norovirus outbreak that has impacted a considerable number of students and staff. School officials made the decision to suspend classes after initial disinfection efforts, which began on Wednesday, proved insufficient in curbing the rising number of reported cases through Thursday.
The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District announced the closure on Thursday, highlighting a spike in illnesses among the school community. Despite the cleaning measures, the situation continued to escalate, leading to the decision for a full day dedicated to professional disinfection of the campus. The district is collaborating closely with Tarrant County Public Health to ensure compliance with safety protocols, with plans for Creekview to reopen on Monday, March 2, on a normal schedule. Meanwhile, all other schools within the district remain open and unaffected.
Understanding Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly infectious virus responsible for acute gastroenteritis, which is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies it as the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States. It is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu,” despite having no connection to the influenza virus.
Symptoms commonly associated with norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, with some individuals also experiencing fever, headache, and body aches. Most people recover within one to three days, but they can remain contagious for several days even after symptoms have resolved. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual, consumption of contaminated food or water, or touching surfaces that harbor the virus before touching one’s mouth. Health officials stress the importance of thorough handwashing with soap and water to prevent the spread of norovirus, as it can be shed in stool for two weeks or longer after recovery.
