CHELMSFORD, Mass. -- Two students and five teachers at a Chelmsford, Mass., middle school were hospitalized Thursday after suffering flu-like symptoms.

NewsCenter 5's David Boeri reported that several students and teachers at McCarthy Middle School on North Road complained of nausea at the end of the school day.

"There are 12 individuals that have the same symptoms. Seven have gone to area hospitals, and appear to be in good condition," Chelmsford Superintendent Richard Moser said.

Firefighters checked for gas leaks inside the school building, but none were found.

"It seems to be identified in one location of our building. There is some potential that it is related to a food issue in one of our rooms where there was food," Moser said.

He said that the cause of the illness is yet to be determined.

"If we feel the building is safe, we will have school. If we feel for any reason it is not safe, we will cancel school. I will make that decision later on today," he said.