A Gold Coast private school will shut down to stem the breakout of a virus that has affected hundreds of students.
Norovirus, sometimes referred to as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Infection is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
The Southport School, which discovered an outbreak of the virus at its campus last month, has seen more than 400 students and staff impacted.
The Gold Coast Public Health Unit has now confirmed that the school will close between March 23-28 to allow a “thorough and complete anti-viral clean”.
“Our public health unit is continuing to work with and provide advice to (the school) on managing and controlling an outbreak of norovirus which began last month,” Professor Paul Van Buynder said in a statement provided to The Educator.
“The ongoing nature of the outbreak has been compounded by two different strains of norovirus circulating and the presence of other illnesses including influenza, RSV and pertussis in the children.”
Van Buynder said the public health unit met with the school last week and recommended the leadership team consider suspending the school term three days earlier than scheduled.
“We do not require the school to close, but are pleased that after collaborative discussions this was an appropriate response,” he said.
“The welfare of TSS students and staff has been uppermost in all the discussions about the outbreak management.”
The school’s principal, Greg Wain, said that while the number of ill students and staff is decreasing, Queensland Health continues to be concerned that the school's Norovirus event is "lingering on too long".
"This is not good for our boys, families and staff," Wain told The Educator.
"They are also concerned that we are a key Commonwealth Games residential and sports’ training venue which needs to be virus free."
Last Friday, Queensland Health decided that the school should close for the last three days of Term 1 to bring the virus event to a close and allow for a thorough anti-virus clean of all facilities.
Wain said his immediate concern was how to replace the three lost teaching days.
"We have decided that there are three Student Free days, currently calendared for Staff Development, that will provide effective teaching days to make up for the three days missed this Term. They are Monday July 16 [start of Term 3], Monday October 8 (start of Term 4) and Monday October 22 [QCAA Year 12 Moderation Day]," Wain said.
"This virus event has been disrupting for all and I do thank our boys, parents and staff for their on-going understanding. This has been a difficult decision but one which will ensure the school is completely clear for the Commonwealth Games, and that TSS commences Term 2 virus-free."