Over 250 students at Babylon High School on Long Island have fallen ill with a suspected norovirus outbreak.
The school has around 700 students, with absences hitting 253 on Monday before falling to 112 by the end of the week.
The health commissioner in Suffolk County has commended the school for its prompt response, including contacting the county food unit to rule out any foodborne illnesses in the school cafeteria.
Experts have seen an uptick in norovirus cases in area hospitals since February, and parents are urged to watch for signs of dehydration in extreme cases.
The superintendent has urged handwashing and other virus prevention precautions, while some frustrated parents wish the school had acted sooner.
The cause of the outbreak remains unclear, although a massive school assembly may have played a role.
