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The Washoe County Health District says 15 WCSD schools, one daycare and one charter school are currently experiencing an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, that’s affecting students and staff. 

The Washoe County Health District says a total of 24 schools/daycares have reported illnesses. More than 1,760 people have been sickened since the outbreak, which started around September 16th.

The Health District says while one daycare was removed from the outbreak list, another unidentified preschool was added Friday afternoon.

Four schools - McQueen High School, Alice Smith Elementary and Grace Warner Elementary and Caughlin Ranch Elementary have all been removed from the list.

The Washoe County Health District says these are the WCSD schools involved in the outbreak status:

Bernice Mathews Elementary School 

Stead Elementary School  

O’Brien Middle School  

Bud Beasley Elementary School  

Desert Heights Elementary School  

Nancy Gomes Elementary School  

Marvin Picollo School  

Westergard Elementary School  

North Valleys High School

Pine Middle School

Cold Springs Middle School

Jesse Hall Elementary School 

Sparks High School

Spanish Springs High School  

Spanish Springs Elementary School

Health officials stress the importance of cleaning and disinfecting areas affected by vomiting or diarrhea, and recommend the following procedures: 

•     Always clean with detergent and hot water prior to disinfecting.

•     Disinfect with an effective virucide or chlorine solution of ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water.  

For more information about norovirus, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.