Absences Down at Edison Middle School

Many staff and students at Edison Middle School appear to be feeling better.  

While many students reported a gastrointestinal illness left them too sick to go to school — leading to 465 reported absences on Monday, 180 on Tuesday and 89 on Wednesday — school officials said they are not sure if all illnesses could be linked to that cause or what caused the high number of illnesses, according to the Daily Herald. 

The school of 700 students has cancelled before- and after-school activities through the rest of this week and the Illinois Department of Public Health, DuPage County Health Department and school are working to "pinpoint a cause" for the illnesses, according to the article. 

Following news of the illnesses, officials at Edison Middle School cleaned and disinfected common areas, reminded students and staff to frequently wash their hands with soap, asked students and staff to use hand sanitizer upon entering the lunchroom, used disposable trays for lunch and wiped down the keypad with a sanitizing solution after each student and had plans to clean and disinfected all desktops and chairs Monday evening, according to an e-mail sent Monday to Edison Middle School parents from Wheaton Community Unit School District 200.

As of Wednesday, the school continued it "cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting efforts," according to the school's website

"We continue to remind students and staff of the importance and effectiveness of washing their hands with soap," according to a note on the Edison Middle School website. "If possible, please review "Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives" with your families." 

School officials are also reminding parents that anyone experiencing an illness should stay home from school until they are free from vomiting and/or diarrhea without medication for at least 24 hours. 

Those who need to report a sick child can can call the attendance line at 630-682-2053 with specific symptoms, which will be reported to the DuPage County Health Department. 

Visit the Daily Herald or the Edison Middle School website for more information.