45 North Carolina middle school students become ill for unknown reason
By Lee Anne Denyer
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YADKIN COUNTY, North Carolina (WXII) — Forty-five Starmount Middle School students got sick Monday afternoon for an unknown reason.
Sixth graders at Starmount Middle began complaining about feeling nauseous with headaches. Some students had thrown up.
Only sixth graders were affected, neither seventh nor eighth graders reported becoming sick, according to the Yadkin County Schools superintendent.
In response to the mysterious epidemic, the school did a shelter in place to keep unaffected students away from the others that were ill.
“I understand parents were nervous and upset. No messaging went out [from the school] because I can tell you, I saw first hand, administration and front office staff were focused on helping students. That’s first priority,” Yadkin County Schools Superintendent Todd Martin said.
First responders came to the school to help and check the students out.
Yadkin County Schools and the Yadkin County Health Department are investigating the strange illness that affected the 45 students.
Most of the affected students returned to school the following Tuesday.
There were rumors of a CO2 leak, but Martin said that was ruled out.
Officials are investigating possible food poisoning, but this has not been confirmed as the cause of the sickness.
Parents should hear from the school Monday evening.
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