More than 600 students from Utah stayed at home after a norovirus outbreak

According to several reports, more than 600 students from public schools in the Utah Alpine School District stayed home after receiving a letter warning them of a norovirus outbreak.

The school district has been distributing letters to parents stating that an outbreak – which causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea – was affecting schools in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, a department representative told KUTV. Utah County Health Center.

"This letter is meant to inform you that an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness has occurred in several schools near the school where your child attends," says the letter, according to Fox 13 Now. "Because this disease has spread so quickly, it seems very contagious and can probably enter your school."

The outlet reported that six schools in the affected district sent children home with the virus. In addition, on Thursday, the Utah County Health Department confirmed that a student from a school in Orem, Utah, had also contracted the virus, although the officer Aislynn Tolman-Hill public information stated that he was unknown.

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The letter also stated that if parents thought their child had symptoms of the disease, they should stay at home "up to 72 hours after the end of vomiting and diarrhea," according to KUTV.

Parents were also advised to take extra precautions regarding the siblings of their sick children attending different schools so that the disease does not spread.

Representatives from the Alpine School District and the Utah County Department of Health did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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The norovirus causes symptoms similar to those of food poisoning, including vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Because the virus is extremely contagious, it can spread easily to schools, daycares, retirement homes and cruise ships.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person usually develops symptoms within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. Most people start to feel better in one to three days.

Since norovirus is a viral (and non-bacterial) infection, antibiotics can not be used to treat the virus. To aid the recovery process, people with norovirus should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.