State and county health officials are investigating what is being called a sudden “outbreak of illness” that affected nearly 80 people who attended a St. Maria Goretti High School luncheon earlier this month.

Kerri Corderman, director of communications at the private Catholic prep school, said on Jan. 23 that 151 people attended the luncheon held two weeks before at Hager Hall Conference and Event Center.

Afterward, 79 attendees reported that they got sick, including five who sought medical attention, she said.

“We’re working with the health department to find out further information about what happened,” Corderman said.

One woman who attended the event with her son said they both became “violently ill” with nausea and vomiting for about two days afterward.