OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Health Department says testing shows that norovirus caused more than 200 illnesses among people who attended a state cheerleading tournament last weekend in Everett.
As of Friday, symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea had been reported by 229 people. Spokesman Tim Church says 33 sought medical attention but no one was sick enough to require an overnight hospital stay.
Church says health officials don’t know where the norovirus came from. He says they’ve heard reports that some participants were sick at the event and notes the bug can spread rapidly person to person. He says it typically lasts a day or two with “really nasty intestinal symptoms.”
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association hosted the Feb. 4 competition at Comcast Arena. More than 3,000 people attended and more than 1,000 people in 52 squads competed in cheerleading, dance and drill events.
