The Riley County Health Department is currently working with Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Manhatttan High School administration to investigate reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea at Manhattan High School (West Campus). The causative agent is still unknown; due to the large volume of reported cases, the members of the Epidemiology Team have been working diligently to contact parents of students to gather more information as quickly as possible.
UPDATE 9/2...- We have received additional reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea at other USD 383 schools. We are working to confirm these reports. KDHE is working to complete thorough lab testing of the stool samples already received.
- Lab testing varies in length of time depending on the illness being tested. Some take one to two days, while others take a week to complete. We do not know what illness is causing this outbreak, so it is necessary to conduct multiple tests to reach a conclusion.
- We have received few specimens, which has lengthened the time it takes to determine a cause.
- If you have been sick and are willing to submit a specimen, please call the Riley County Health Department to receive instructions for doing so. Our phone number is 785-776-4779. Your submission will be confidential.
- We do not know what illness is the cause and are looking into all possibilities. RCHD and KDHE has suggested that all USD 383 schools use recommended protocols to respond to any vomiting or diarrhea incident. USD 383 is working to implement the protocol in each of their schools.
- It is important for people who are sick to stay home. Everyone should wash their hands regularly and properly sanitize surfaces to help prevent spreading illnesses.
We're asking parents, students and teachers - anyone who has been affected to please do the following:
- Contact the Riley County Health Department at 785-776-4779 with more information on your symptoms.
- Stay home from school if you are experiencing any symptoms.
- Stay home from school an additional 24 hours after symptoms subside.
Remember the importance of good hand hygiene! Always wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
