22 New Rochelle, NY 8th-graders stricken by Norovirus during class trip to DC

22 eighth-grade students from Isaac E. Young Middle School in New Rochelle become violently ill during the last night of a class trip to Washington, D.C.

norovirus-2The suspicion is that students may have contracted the virus earlier that evening at restaurant or on a boat during a ferry ride. The first students began vomiting shortly after 9 p.m. with the virus continuing to spread throughout the night. School Principal Dr. Anthony Bongo said that based on a preliminary report it appears the students were infected with Norovirus

Bongo said that he worked with Dr. Weiss, the school district’s medical officer and the Westchester County Department of Health to coordinate information with GWU Hospital. “Parents of children on the trip have been kept informed by on-site staff every step of the way, and all students are safe,” said a school district spokesperson. 22 students were hospitalized. Most were released soon after but 10 remained at the hospital to be treated for dehydration. Six teachers and two chaperons worked hard throughout the night to care for the sick students, said Dr. Anthony Bongo.