An unknown illness is causing a large number of student absences at a Boynton Beach elementary school. The Health Department is now getting involved, investigating why so many students are getting sick.
The health department sent home a letter Tuesday to Freedom Shores Elementary families, warning them of this particular sickness going around.
It referenced the unusual number of students getting sick with this unidentified illness. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
The health department says it could be either be some type of virus or bacteria going around.
“For him, it just came out of nowhere. He vomited and then his stomach was hurting,” said Alicia Puglisi who's 10 year-old son became ill. "Then, it happened again four hours later. Then, the next day he just laid low and didn’t eat much. The following day he was back to normal."
The school is reminding students to use hand sanitizer and wash their hands. Crews are also wiping down classrooms.
The health department is reminding parents to keep their child home if he or she has any of these symptoms and not send them back for 48 hours.
