An Epidemic of Appendectomies

In our school community, we have now had 3 women to have appendectomies in the last 10 days.  They were also all part of the elementary school.  Is this some strange coincidence?  Can appendicitis be caused by external factors that these three ladies had in common?

I can never remember what side the appendix is on, or where exactly it is located, hence the diagram.  I've spent enough time over the last 3 years looking at diagrams of the digestive system, with my colon issues, but never realized that the appendix is right at the end of the colon!  Interesting to know. 

Has anyone else ever heard of this happening to multiple people all at about the same time?  I can't seem to find any known causes of appendicitis except that it is less common when there is a diet high in fiber.

Just something I've been thinking about lately!