Hepatitis A shuts down Elliott County Schools Friday

Elliott County Schools has announced school is canceled Friday after the district confirmed a positive case of hepatitis A.

"This individual is not involved with food handling," Superintendent Debbie Stephens said in a letter to families, "We are working closely with the Elliott County Health Center/Gateway Health Department to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families."

Custodians will sanitize and thoroughly clean all of the district's schools during the closure.

People are urged to properly wash their hands to prevent further spreading of the virus.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dark urine and jaundice.