Norovirus Spreads Throughout NorCal; Health Officials Recommend Hand Hygiene

More than 1,500 people have been sickened by the 24-hour stomach bug believed to be the dreaded Norovirus, which has made its rounds through several Northern California counties the past two weeks. In San Jose, 368 students have been diagnosed with a stomach bug this week. In Yolo County, health officials say 1,200 students and staff members have come down with the illness.

The Sacramento City Unified School District has confirmed that 29 schools in the district have seen students and staff exhibit symptoms of Norovirus, according to a report on KCRA. In Santa Cruz County, health officials say they are concerned about the potential for a significant outbreak after almost 30 children and staff at the Boulder Creek camp were diagnosed with Norovirus.

In Alameda County, a popular In-N-Out Burger location in Livermore voluntarily closed last week following a complaint of illness from nine customers. After an investigation, health officials say it appears that several of the college softball players traveling together, who dined at the restaurant, had been ill with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis before eating at the restaurant. Officials suspected Norovirus.

Santa Cruz County Health officials say this is an unusually high incidence of cases of the common virus.

• You Are Probably Washing Your Hands Wrong

To curtail the spread of the virus, health officials recommend frequent and proper hand hygiene. Any parent with a student showing symptoms of the stomach bug is asked to keep their child home for a full 48 hours after they appear to be healthy again, since patients continue to shed the virus during that timeframe even after they feel better. Health officials say anyone who has suffered from acute gastroenteritis or flu-like symptoms should clean household surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.

Related:

• Norovirus Outbreak At Boulder Creek Camp, Bay Area Concerns Co. Health Officials
• Norovirus Sickens 250 In San Jose Schools: Report
• Livermore In-N-Out Burger Reopens Friday After 9 Diners Sickened
• Norovirus Hits 29 Sacramento Schools: Report

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