Posted: November 24th, 2010 - 6:55am by Doug Powell

The Lee County Health Department has concluded that norovirus caused dozens of people to fall ill earlier this month at a Lee County Public Schools fundraiser.

But it will likely be up to a week before the department concludes how it was spread, aid Robert South, department epidemiologist.

About 200 people attended the 15th Annual Take Stock in Children Holiday Auction on Nov. 4 at Paseo Village Center.

Shortly thereafter, attendees reported a number of ailments, including nausea and diarrhea.

The department still does not know if the virus spread was the result of food poisoning or improper food handling.