Virus suspected in illnesses that closed Satsuma schools

Mobile County Health Department epidemiology staff members were in contact with school officials in Satsuma on Monday, March 2, 2015, about a suspected gastrointestinal virus sickening at least 100 students, teachers and staff across two campuses in recent days. According to a press release, the primary symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever and lethargy.

“It’s unclear at this time what type of virus is causing so many people to be sick,” said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for Mobile County. “We know that proper hand-washing is one way to guard against these types of gastrointestinal disorders.”