UPDATE: State taking over investigation of illnesses at cheerleading championships | Health

The state Department of Health has taken over the investigation of an illness that has affected a large number of students and officials who were at the state cheerleading championships at Comcast Arena.

The Snohomish Health District started the investigation after reports of the illnesses started to come in. The DOH took over as the lead agency in the in

District spokesperson Suzanne Pate said that the investigation, being done by its communicable disease team, was in its early stages. The district is still gathering information as they try to figure out what exactly they are dealing with, Pate said.

Reported symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea, according to DOH. 

A WIAA spokesperson confirmed that students, coaches and officials from 20 different high schools had people get sick at or after the event. The WIAA and Snohomish Health District are helping with the state's investigation.

Jodi Runyon with the Marysville School District confirms that the MPHS team had been one of the teams affected. Out of the 15 who attended the event, Runyon said five became sick afterward. Other high schools who also confirmed team members getting sick included Juanita, Ballard, Mount Si and Skyline, who also reported their coach and principal getting sick.

Mary Waggoner with the Everett Public Schools said that no illnesses had been reported among Everett High School's team, while King's High School also confirms no illnesses among their team, which won the 1A/2B state title.

A Facebook posting from Snoqualmie's Mount Si High School said that at least four of their cheerleaders had gotten sick following the championships.

Pate said that an exact cause, if there is one, may not be known until any lab tests are complete.