ARLINGTON, Wash. -- An Arlington elementary school is staying open despite a big percentage of its students are out sick with norovirus.

The Snohomish County Health Department confirmed the illness that sickened students of Eagle Creek Elementary was norovirus after more than 100 children called in sick.

The virus is highly contagious and spread through shared food, direct contact or touching contaminated surfaces, health officials said.

On Wednesday night, crews worked for hours to clean and disinfect the school, wiping down counters, doors and desks in a measure to contain the virus.

Snohomish County health officials said the cases are the first seen in the county.

Symptoms of a norovirus infection include nausea, abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea and a low-grade fever.