And update from the City of Ames now has a possible cause of the illnesses that forced the library to close today. Twenty-five employees called in sick, reporting symptoms that included headaches and nausea.
A news release from the city says the library is working closely with the Story County Public Health and Iowa Department of Public Health, “and those agencies indicate that norovirus is the likely cause of illness, although confirmatory testing is currently underway.”
“Norovirus is the most common cause of gastrointestinal illness nationally and in Iowa,” said Terri Olinger with Story County Public Health. “Norovirus activity is traditionally higher in the colder months because peoples are indoors more and in closer contact.”