Pittsburgh School Closed Monday Due To Possible Norovirus Outbreak

A school in Pittsburgh will be closed on Monday because of a "high volume" of non-COVID illnesses, the school district announced.

The illness at Pittsburgh Carmalt is "most likely" norovirus, the Pittsburgh Public Schools said on its website. The cases were reported among students, as well as staff.

Norovirus is "very contagious" and can cause the infected individuals to experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted. In fact, norovirus has also been called the "winter vomiting bug."

"Anyone" is susceptible to getting infected and falling ill with norovirus, the agency explained. This can be through having direct contact with someone who is infected, eating contaminated food or simply by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting unwashed hands in the mouth.

The affected school will be closed Monday to make way for thorough cleaning and "prevent further student and staff infections." The classes will resume Tuesday.

"Common symptoms associated with norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain," the school district added. "Anyone experiencing these symptoms should not return to school until symptom-free for 48 hours."

According to the Mayo Clinic, such symptoms tend to begin quite quickly, within 12 to 48 hours after getting exposed. They last for one to three days, with most of the people who get infected being able to "recover completely" even without treatment. However, in some people, such as older adults, infants and those with underlying disease, the vomiting and diarrhea can be dehydrating and the patient may need medical attention.

Norovirus outbreaks can happen "anytime," the CDC noted. However, they typically occur from November to April and in "closed and crowded" settings, such as schools, child care centers, nursing homes, cruise ships and hospitals.

Some of the important safety tips people can follow to prevent norovirus include cooking shellfish properly, rinsing fruits and vegetables and not preparing food for other people while sick. Washing the hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the toilet or before eating, is also important in preventing norovirus. Using hand sanitizers isn't quite effective at removing norovirus particles compared to washing the hands with soap and water.