Nov 9, 2007 7:36 pm US/Mountain
Norovirus Sickened Chatfield Football Team
Team Plans To Take Field Saturday Vs. Mullen
by Karlyn Tilley
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4/AP) ―
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The Jefferson County Health Department says the first symptoms included nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
CBS
Half the Chatfield High School football team was sickened by the Norovirus, the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment said Friday. The team planned to face Mullen in a second round playoff game Saturday after officials said the game would not be delayed.
All of Chatfield's starters were expected to play Saturday. Only three remained sick and unable to suit up for the game.
Norovirus was identified as the most probable cause of the sickness among 30 team members and three coaches.
Players started feeling sick after a playoff victory in Fort Collins last Saturday.
Jefferson County health officials say the virus can be contracted easily, by consuming food or drink contaminated by an infected person, or from touching a contaminated object and then touching the mouth or eating without washing the hands first.
The Chatfield principal said the team had discarded water bottles and other items to try and keep anyone else from getting sick. He also said plans were to have extra water and Gatorade on the sideline to keep the team hydrated.
Authorities did not say exactly where or how the students came in contact with the virus.
One player had to be hospitalized. He has since been released. Other players went to their doctors complaining about dehydration, among other problems.
The Jefferson County Health Department says the first symptoms included nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Norovirus is an easily transmitted virus that causes gastrointestinal pain. Other symptoms include fever, chills and headache.
"It hurts you as a coach, and I'm sure the players too," head coach Bret McGatlin said. "They want to be out there and going and they just can't do it."
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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