Humboldt County Department of Health and Human services release:
More than 130 students from the South Bay Union School District are sick
from what Public Health officials believe to be a norovirus outbreak centered
at Pine Hill School and affecting nearby South Bay and South Bay Charter
schools.
One hundred and thirty-two students of 489 enrolled in the three-school
district are out today. One hundred and one students were absent Thursday,
while 88 missed school on Wednesday. An unknown number of staff
members are also sick.
The Public Health Laboratory in Eureka has confirmed the presence of the
highly contagious virus, which causes nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach pain
and explosive watery diarrhea. Additional laboratory testing will be conducted
today.
Officials have already documented cases of transmission from students to
parents and other family members, so the number of current cases is likely
higher.
Infected people typically show symptoms within 12 to 48 hours of exposure
to the virus. Contagion is believed to last at least 24 hours after recovery.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus
causes an acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines. People catch
the virus by accidentally ingesting stool or vomit from an infected person.
This typically happens by consuming contaminated food or liquids, touching
contaminated surfaces or objects and then putting your fingers in your
mouth, or sharing food or utensils with someone who is infected.
Parents, staff and children are strongly encouraged to go home from school
or work if they have any sign of illness, and to remain there at least 24 hours
after all symptoms have subsided.
There is no cure for norovirus, which generally passes on its own within a few
days. The CDC notes that it cannot be treated with antibiotics, because it is a
viral, rather than bacterial, infection. Drinking lots of fluids is recommended
to replace those lost during the course of illness.
Hand washing is the best defense. Wash hands frequently throughout the
day with soap and water. Hand sanitizing gels and wipes are ineffective
against the virus. Clean contaminated surfaces thoroughly with a strong
disinfectant such as bleach.
Even then the virus is often extremely difficult to contain. It can survive on
surfaces for weeks, and few disinfectants are effective against it.
An outbreak in Yolo County earlier this year sickened an estimated 4,000
people, and despite exhaustive decontamination efforts resulted in the
closure of several schools. The illness spread from Woodland to schools in
West Sacramento, Winters, Esparto and Davis, including U.C. Davis.
Public Health officials are working side by side with the staff and
superintendent of Pine Hill and South Bay schools, who have pledged their
full support in combatting the spread of illness.
Department of Health & Humans Services’ Public Health Director Michele
Stephens said, “We are working quickly to help our local schools prevent
further illness, particularly as we near the holiday break.”
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