Stomach Sickness Doesn't Cause Spike in Absenteeism: Harford Schools

The outbreak of gastroenteritis that is working its way through Harford County has not taken a toll on attendance rates at school, a school spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Jillian Lader, manager of communications for Harford County Public Schools, said that the school system keeps tabs daily on attendance and health suite visits, in conjunction with the Harford County Health Department.

"At present, we have not seen an increase in absentee rates above our baseline," Lader said.

Health officials have said gastroenteritis was standard for this time of year, when sicknesses tend to spread with people being indoors.

Some readers on the Bel Air Patch Facebook page, identifying themselves as Harford County Public Schools staff, said many children were sick with a bug that was going around. Said one staffer: "If your child vomits, PLEASE do not send them to school the next day just because they are 'feeling better!'"

Harford County Public Schools advises students who experience any illness to be symptom-free without medications for at least 24 hours before returning to school, Lader said. 

Related:

• Stomach Bug Tied to Restaurants, Health Department Says
• Harford Health Department 'Looking Into' Stomach Sickness