The Searcy County School District, which includes campuses in Marshall and Leslie, will reopen for classes Tuesday after a Norovirus outbreak led to a one-day closure last Friday.
According to district officials, the decision to cancel classes and extracurricular activities last Thursday and Friday was made after two students tested positive for Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure, with most individuals recovering within one to three days.
The district first alerted the community to the issue last Wednesday through a social media post, stating that a stomach illness was impacting students and staff. By Thursday afternoon, officials opted for a full-day school closure the following day to help control the spread of the virus. As a precaution, all sporting events and other extracurricular activities scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights were also canceled.
The Searcy County School District is working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to adopt additional safety measures aimed at minimizing the risk of further infections. These steps include increased handwashing protocols and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting efforts on school campuses.
Parents and students are encouraged to remain vigilant for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. District officials and ADH are also urging anyone who has experienced symptoms to participate in a voluntary illness survey to assist health authorities in tracking and better understanding the outbreak. The survey can be accessed through the Arkansas Department of Health’s website.
Norovirus is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal illness in the United States and spreads easily through contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or contaminated food and water.
The district has not announced any additional closures, and classes are expected to continue as scheduled this week. For updates and further information, families are encouraged to monitor district communications.