Hawke's Bay DHB medical officer of health Dr Rachel Eyre (pictured) said public health officials had been working closely with Greenmeadows School in the wake of a stomach bug. Photo / File
Hawke's Bay DHB medical officer of health Dr Rachel Eyre (pictured) said public health officials had been working closely with Greenmeadows School in the wake of a stomach bug. Photo / File
An unfortunate bout of vomiting and diarrhoea has left one Napier school without 20 per cent of its student population, forcing a number of events to be postponed.
Greenmeadows School principal Mark Johnson said about 100 out of 490 students and seven staff had been affected, with most falling ill on Friday evening, into Saturday.
"There has been a number go down since but the biggest impact seems to have been that initial outbreak of illness over the course of the weekend," Johnson said.
He said all the evidence pointed to it being a "gastro bug". As a result, the school's water supply had been checked over the weekend, which came back clear and the school had been thoroughly cleaned.
Johnson said those who initially fell ill were from one room, in their senior school (year 5 and 6).
"Indications are that maybe a couple of children came to school inadvertently late last week, and without realising it may have been spreading the virus."
On Tuesday, 150 students remained at home. However, Johnson says many were as a precaution.
"We understand that families feel they should keep their children home just till things have cleared. But there's certainly not 150 of them who are ill and families have been really good at letting us know that."
Johnson said his staff, of around 40 people, had gotten off "relatively unscathed".
"Although those who have been stricken with the bug have certainly said it is one of the most violent and aggressive episodes that they have had.
"We have a great degree of sympathy for everybody who has been hit by this bug and we just hope it doesn't keep spreading throughout the wider community."
Johnson says he has "never seen anything like it". "I suspect we are through the worst of it but we are still closely monitoring the situation."
Hawke's Bay District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Rachel Eyre said public health officials had been working closely with the school since they were advised on Saturday, as well as canvassing other schools and kindergartens in the area, as part of its widespread surveillance and investigating to determine the cause.
Hawke's Bay DHB medical officer of health Dr Rachel Eyre (pictured) said public health officials had been working closely with Greenmeadows School in the wake of a stomach bug. Photo / File
Whilst some final lab results are still outstanding, Dr Eyre said most causes had been ruled out and it was highly likely a viral bug.
"We have determined the bug is localised to Greenmeadows School as other schools or kindergartens in the vicinity have not seen any dramatic decline in school roll absenteeism," said Dr Eyre.
"We continue to monitor very closely, but declining numbers of new cases are promising."
Dr Eyre said the school had followed all advice and a deep clean of the school had occurred at the weekend.
"I would like to commend the school principal and his support staff for their swift response in advising public health and for following all advice and instructions.
"Their communication with their school community has been excellent to ensure all key health and hygiene information is relayed and understood by parents/caregivers and students to avoid further spread."
The school's year one performance of The Lion King had been postponed from Monday until Tuesday evening, and their Cross Country, which was due to be held on Tuesday is now scheduled for Thursday.
Johnson says both the District Health Board and their school community had been "fantastic".
"It has been a whole community effort and really I want to acknowledge the role that everybody has played in helping us get through what's been a pretty challenging time.
Important Health Advice:
* Anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea should stay away from work, and sick children should be kept home until at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.
* Careful attention to hand washing and drying will help prevent the bug spreading.
* People with stomach bugs can be infectious after the symptoms stop (for up to two weeks on some occasions) so it is important not to swim in public swimming pools for two weeks.
* It is very important to make sure children don't get dehydrated. They should drink plenty of fluid and have oral rehydration drinks while they are ill.
* For further health information call Healthline 0800 611 116 for health advice that's available 24/7, contact your family doctor or visit www.ourhealthhb.nz
