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🇧🇪 Belgium /Health & Science

Norovirus Outbreak Forces Kortrijk School Closure; 250 Students Sent Home

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • All 250 students at BuSO De Hoge Kouter in Kortrijk were sent home due to a norovirus outbreak and seven suspected streptococcus infections.
  • The school will remain closed for the entire week as a precautionary measure, with strict hygiene protocols planned for reopening.
  • The infections are likely linked to a recent week-long outdoor education trip, and parents are responsible for student care during the closure.

BuSO De Hoge Kouter, a special education school in Kortrijk, Belgium, has sent all 250 students home following an outbreak of norovirus and suspected cases of streptococcus. The school, which caters to students with developmental and learning disabilities, will remain closed for the entire week as a precautionary measure.

School officials suspect the illnesses may have spread during a week-long outdoor education trip the students attended the previous week. While one student was initially reported with streptococcus symptoms, including fever and sore throat, further investigation revealed gastrointestinal issues among about a dozen other students and staff, strongly indicating norovirus.

In consultation with the doctor and occupational health physician, everything pointed towards the contagious norovirus.

— Nancy DedeurwaerderExplaining the diagnosis of the outbreak.

"In consultation with the doctor and occupational health physician, everything pointed towards the contagious norovirus," said Nancy Dedeurwaerder of the Rhizo school group. "We have one confirmed case, which suggests the others with similar complaints have the same virus. We are almost certain of it."

Given the high contagiousness of norovirus, the school will not provide emergency care during the closure, emphasizing that students should remain home. Parents will need to arrange care for their children. Enhanced hygiene measures, including stricter hand hygiene and more intensive cleaning of common areas and restrooms, will be implemented upon reopening, which is tentatively scheduled for the following Monday.

We have one confirmed case, which suggests the others with similar complaints have the same virus. We are almost certain of it.

— Nancy DedeurwaerderConfirming the likely spread of norovirus.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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