Monday, May 21, 2012

Pacifica - Quick action contains Elementary School norovirus outbreak


ABC Peninsula News/Nick Smith, 5/18/12.  "Over 100 students sick after norovirus outbreak".   

"Mommy, I don't feel good."
Graph showing known causes of foodborne illness outbreaks, U.S. 2006-2008, Norovirus 51%, Bacteria 38%, Parasites, 1%, Chemicals 6%, Other 4%
Norovirus causes - Food, bacteria, other
"In Pacifica, a norovirus outbreak has sickened more than a hundred students. The San Mateo County Health Department confirms the virus hit Ocean Shore Elementary. 

Most of the students who got sick were students at Ocean Shore Elementary, but there were a few reported cases at Ortega Elementary. Administrators say that students from the two schools often play together and signs of the virus first appeared around 10 days ago. Since then, they have worked feverishly to rid all surfaces of the virus, giving everything a thorough scrub-down.   Read article with embedded 1:52 minute video. 

Related article Examiner.com/Robert Herriman, 5/19/12. 
Reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus.  Wash hands, wash fruits and vegetables, don't cook while infected, disinfect surfaces, wash laundry.

Posted by Kathy Meeh

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