North Carolina school officials are reporting that 45 middle school students became ill yesterday afternoon. Public health officials are investigating possible foodborne vectors as well as other potential causes.

In a Facebook post school officials said the students began complaining about nausea and headaches in the afternoon, with some having thrown up. Only sixth graders were affected, according to school officials.

The school district and the affected school, Starmount Middle School, is about 75 miles from Charlotte NC. 

School officials instituted a shelter in place action to keep the sick students away from the rest of the students at the school. First responders were called and public health investigators began looking for the cause of the illnesses.

Yadkin County Schools and the Yadkin County Health Department are investigating the situation. There were rumors of a CO2 leak, but Superintendent Todd Martin said that was ruled out.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)