The intern @ 11 Alive

🚨 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHUT DOWN AFTER 64 STUDENTS AND STAFF REPORT ILLNESS — CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN CAMP SPRINGS, MD — Princeton Elementary School has closed through Friday, October 30, after 48 students and 16 staff members reported respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Prince George’s County Public Schools consulted county health officials before announcing the closure Tuesday evening. The decision allows additional sanitation and time for the outbreak to subside. ▪️ 48 STUDENTS SICK: School officials reported nearly five dozen illnesses across the building, including 48 children and 16 employees. ▪️ MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS: Those affected experienced flu-like or gastroenteritis-like symptoms, potentially including fever, respiratory problems, vomiting and diarrhea. ▪️ CAUSE UNIDENTIFIED: Health officials have not determined which virus or viruses are responsible. There is no confirmed evidence that every illness resulted from the same pathogen. ▪️ SCHOOL CLOSED THROUGH FRIDAY: Princeton Elementary will remain closed October 28–30 while crews conduct extensive cleaning and sanitization. ▪️ FLU ACTIVITY RISING: Maryland’s influenza test positivity rate has more than doubled compared with the same period last year, although statewide flu activity remains relatively low. ▪️ PARENTS ADVISED: Families are being urged to keep symptomatic children home, practice frequent handwashing and monitor district communications for reopening information. The closure demonstrates how quickly an infectious illness can disrupt an elementary school, affecting not only student health but also working parents who must arrange unexpected childcare. The immediate questions are what caused the outbreak, whether additional cases are emerging, and what criteria health officials will use to determine when the school is safe to reopen. Will the district release updated illness counts and laboratory findings before students return?