Staff gathering may be source of gastrointestinal illness that closed Fort McMurray school

A staff event held off school premises could be the source of a gastrointestinal illness that closed cole Dickinsfield Wednesday, says Fort McMurray Public Schools.

"There was a staff gathering off site and that may be the cause," said superintendentDoug Nicholls."It is not a definitive determination."

• Workers at oilsands camps near Fort McMurray hit with stomach bug
• Prince Albert health region dealing with second gastrointestinal outbreak

Nicholls wouldn't provide anymore details about the event because he said he didn't want to speculate further.

On Wednesday, the school of680 studentsclosed because a large number of staff members fell sick.

The district saidmany of the school's 60 staff members did not show up Tuesday.

Several classes were merged as not enough substitute teachers could be called in.

"We had a significant issue on Tuesday with several staff members out and more calling in sick by the hour," Nichollssaid.

"I have never seen a particular situation like this where there had been such a high percentage of staff ill."

• READ: For more Fort McMurray stories click HERE

The district anticipates one third of school staff still won't show up Thursday and it will also need to combine smaller classes to make sure students are supervised.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) saidin an emailit's aware that30 gastrointestinal casesassociated with the schoolwere reported Monday morning.

It alsosaid it hasn't "lab-confirmed" the cases nor has it identified the source of the illness.

But it said if stool samples were available, it could do the testing.

AHS said it hasprovided the school with advice on infection prevention and control and is reminding staff to wash their hands frequently.

The health authority is also unaware of any student-related illnesses.

The district said it has taken the necessary precautions and has sanitized theschool.

Follow David Thurton, CBC's Fort McMurray correspondent, onFacebook,Twitterand viaemail.