15 students, 2 adults affected by rash at high school

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- Several students and teachers at a local high school have been hospitalized after breaking out in a rash while in class.

Broward County Public Schools officials have reported all the students affected were in a designated reading room, classroom 944, on the second floor of McArthur High School in Hollywood, Wednesday morning, when they complained about an itching rash.

Paramedics and HAZMAT crews arrived at the school and placed it on a "Soft lockdown." A total of 15 students and two teachers were decontaminated at the school in makeshift showers and transported in a county school bus to Memorial Regional Hospital for examination as a precaution. None complained of respiratory problems.

The 17 patients arrived at the hospital under police escort. After the bus pulled into a parking garage, those inside were brought out in pairs and hosed down again. They then they changed into HAZMAT suits and walked into the hospital.

Whatever substance caused this rash remains unknown. "It's not a room that was used for chemistry that now is used ... as a reading room. There shouldn't have been any irritants or anything that caused the kind of reaction symptoms the patients seem to be be exhibiting at this time," said a Hollywood Fire official on the scene.

When asked if he suspects whether a student may have brought a substance into the school, the fire official said they have no idea, at this time.

A student sent a video to 7News of hundreds of students held in a gym, kept away from the suspected contaminants, as HAZMAT crews continue to investigate.

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