Norovirus Outbreak At Boulder Creek Camp, Bay Area Concerns Co. Health Officials

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Almost 30 children and staff at the Boulder Creek camp in Santa Cruz County have recently been diagnosed with Norovirus, county officials said. Santa Cruz County Health Agency officials say they are concerned about the potential for a larger outbreak of the virus in the county.

“There have been over 1200 cases in Yolo County schools and at least 200 students in ten schools in the San Jose Unified School District,” county health officials said in a statement.

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.

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

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“Norovirus is generally a mild illness with associated nausea, vomiting and diarrhea lasting from 1-3 days,” officials said. “People are infectious prior to symptoms and for several days after symptoms begin.”

To curtail the spread of the virus, health officials recommend frequent and proper hand hygiene. Anyone who has suffered from acute gastroenteritis or flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped and should clean household surfaces with a bleached-based cleaner.

Related:

• Livermore In-N-Out Burger Reopens Friday After 9 Diners Sickened
  
• Norovirus Sickens 250 In San Jose Schools: Report
  

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