UNION COUNTY, N.C. -- Tuesday, nearly 50 students were absent at Shiloh Elementary in Union County. This comes almost a week after an unknown stomach illness hit the campus.
Nearly 200 have complained of symptoms of the stomach illness. The Union County Department of Human Services told NBC Charlotte all the information they have points toward a viral illness and the illness does not appear to be food poisoning.
Parents of Shiloh Elementary students had to get through an unexpected hurdle right before summer break.
"I went and picked him up early I wasn't exactly sure what was going on but he's not a child that complains when he doesn't feel well," said Robin Manna, a parent.
Manna brought her fifth grader home early Friday because word of a stomach illness had spread. The school district said 30 students contracted a gastrointestinal illness late last week.
"A little concerned my child wasn't effected by it but he said half his class was out by the end of the day," said Manna.
Union County Department of Human Services says while all signs point toward a virus, but admit this illness appeared to impact more people than the typical stomach bug.
"Quite intriguing because it was so intense for a couple day period we had so many kids out on Friday from school to me that's pretty intense as I've said I haven't seen that number of people out in a long, long time," said Richard Matens, Executive Director for Union County Human Services.
Matens said although there have been a handful of people report symptoms Tuesday, he doesn't expect the virus to dramatically spread.
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