Health officials identify virus that caused Olathe elementary school to close last week
The illness that caused an Olathe elementary school to close for multiple days starting Oct. 26 was the norovirus, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
The gastrointestinal disease is highly contagious and was responsible for a dramatic increase in illnesses at Clearwater Creek Elementary School, health department spokeswoman Barbara Mitchell said in an email Wednesday morning.
According to an email sent to parents by Principal Nate Kremer, more than a quarter of students called in sick, with many others being sent home the day of the closure. Several staff members also reported illness.
The school underwent a deep cleaning and increased its HVAC airflow to the building. The health department ruled out the possibility that the incident was caused by environmental factors.
The school reopened on Monday as planned, and students returned to class, according to Erin Schulte, assistant director of communications with Olathe Public Schools.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 11:12 AM.