School closed by illness

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A West Michigan school is closed for cleaning.

Thursday was day one of a two-day shut down at Kalamazoo's Washington Writer's Academy. The doors are locked, and the only people iside are carrying cleaning supplies.

The closing came after dozens of people got sick. After the number of sick kids and staff members started to grow, the district decided it was time to keep them home, and a thorough cleaning is underway.

"We will sanitize and disinfect this entire building," said Alex Lee, spokesperson for Kalamazoo Schools.

The County Health Department is running lab tests to figure out exactly what is causing up to 60 people to suffer from headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.

"It really fits what looks like a noro-virus," said Linda Buzas, Director of Kalamazoo County Health Services.

Buzas said an outbreak like this can happen anywhere and can spread easily. The best way to keep it from spreading is to wash your hands frequently, and if you or your kids are sick, stay at home.

"It's hard to put a stop to it," said Buzas, "to keep it from getting to another, to another, to another."

The school will re-open on Monday, by then it will be disinfected, and hopefully everyone will be healthy again.