A common virus called norovirus has been identified by Jefferson County health officials as the most-probable cause of a sudden outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the Chatfield High School football team.
About 30 Chatfield players and coaches became ill after a road trip Nov. 3 to Fort Collins. The first symptoms occurred Nov. 4, and including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Health officials said all of those who became ill are recovering or have recovered. One student was hospitalized for dehydration and has been released.
There is no evidence of spread beyond the team, said health officials who are working with the Jefferson County School district on controlling the outbreak.
Norovirus is easily transmitted by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching mouths or eating without washing hands first. Symptoms appear one to two days after exposure.
Team members and coaches ate the same foods — breakfast burritos and sub sandwhiches — on Nov. 3 on the road trip.
Chatfield plays Mullen High School on Saturday in the second round of the playoffs.
