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Nearly 100 Cases of Norovirus Reported Inside One Elementary School, Health Officials Say
Two lab-confirmed cases are among about 85 illnesses as officials and school staff monitor spread and increase sanitation at Bentwood Elementary.
- On Wednesday, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment confirmed the norovirus outbreak at Bentwood Elementary School is over, with 97 total cases reported since early October and no new cases since October 13.
- Cases began emerging October 5 at Bentwood, and school officials coordinated with JCDHE after absence rates spiked early last week with similar symptoms among students and staff.
- Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Director Charlie Hunt reported 95 cases occurred within the school, with two additional family members infected; Hunt clarified norovirus is sometimes referred to as "stomach flu" but is not related to influenza.
- Olathe School District custodial staff conducted enhanced daily disinfections of high-touch surfaces throughout the outbreak, while officials urge individuals to stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.
- Despite the outbreak's conclusion, JCDHE will continue monitoring the situation and providing guidance as needed; experts note about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks occur nationally each year, making such rapid school spread notable.
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Norovirus Outbreak at Bentwood Elementary in Overland Park, Kansas: About 85 Sick in a Week, Two Lab-Confirmed. What Parents Should Do Now.
As of October 21, 2026, about 85 students and staff at Bentwood Elementary School in Overland Park, Kansas, part of the Olathe Public Schools, have been sick with norovirus over the past week, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, which confirmed the outbreak to KCTV5. Two cases were confirmed by laboratory testing;...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
L 22%
C 78%
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