California - Norovirus cases 2012

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County Says Norovirus--Not School Lunches--Likely Got Hercules Students Sick

Hercules parents have also chimed in with their Hercules Middle High child's experiences with getting sick last week.

By Laila Kearney
Email the author
January 13, 2012

County health officials are saying it?s likely that a norovirus?not school lunches, as initially suspected?caused tens of Hercules Middle High School students to get sick late last week.

?We?re preliminarily saying that it may not be the food, but we don?t have any confirmation yet?because we are still doing our investigation,? said Erika Jenssen, a Contra Costa County Public Health official. Contra Costa Public Health and Contra Costa Environmental health are investigating case of multiple ill students.

?It looks like there were people ill before Friday, and we are seeing a lot of norovirus? at schools around the county,? Jenssen said.

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http://hercules.patch.com/articles/...ool-lunches-likely-got-hercules-students-sick

 

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Senior care facility reopens after norovirus outbreak

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- One of two senior residential care facilities that experienced a norovirus outbreak this month reopened today, a Marin County Public Health Services official said.

Aegis Living of San Rafael reported 25 cases of the gastrointestinal illness, 22 of them affecting residents, said Shanna Cronan, senior public health nurse of the Marin County Department of Public Health's Communicable Disease and Prevention and Control program.

The first case at the San Rafael location occurred Jan. 14 and the facility at 111 Merrydale Road reopened today after no new cases were reported, Cronan said.

Aegis of Corte Madera, which reported 62 cases starting Jan. 18, remains closed and is discouraging visitors, Cronan said. Thirty-nine of the residents at the facility at 5555 Paradise Drive contracted the illness that includes vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, she said. The last case was reported Tuesday, she said.

Both facilities were closed except for emergency visits, Cronan said.
"They typically close until there are no new cases for 96 hours," Cronan said.

A spokeswoman for Aegis Living of San Rafael did not respond to a call for comment today.

Seventeen cases of the norovirus also were reported at a preschool in Marin County beginning Jan. 13, Cronan said. It affected 16 children and an adult and the school is closed today, Cronan said. Cronan would not identify the school.

More...
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=8517871

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

County Says Sick Hercules Students Tested Positive for Norovirus

Contra Costa Public Health officials confirmed norovirus in students.

By Laila Kearney
Email the author
1:06 am

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Contra Costa County Public Health Spokeswoman Kate Fowlie released this statement Tuesday.

"Test results for at least one student at Hercules Middle High School have come back positive for norovirus. This confirms that norovirus is the cause of the illness outbreak at the school. There have been no additional cases reported since January 13 at the school. However, Norovirus continues to be present at other schools and throughout the community, and people are urged to stay home if they are sick and wash their hands with soap and water to help prevent the spread of this illness."

Full text:
http://hercules.patch.com/articles/...udents-tested-positive-for-norovirus-fab9331d

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Contra Costa health officials caution parents to watch for norovirus symptoms

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Sam Richards
Contra Costa Times
<!--date-->Posted: 01/27/2012 07:00:58 PM PST
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MORAGA -- The Contra Costa Public Health Department is blaming norovirus as the likely cause of gastrointestinal symptoms that have resulted in a number of recent student absences.

The department this week issued a reminder to parents to keep children with such symptoms home from school, for the benefit of themselves and other students.
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Students who are sick should not return to school until the symptoms have been absent for at least 48 hours. For more information, go to www.cchealth.org/topics/norovirus/


Full text:
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_19838949

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Norovirus sickens 12 at Lytton Gardens in Palo Alto

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Jason Green

Daily News Staff Writer

<!--date-->Posted: 01/30/2012 07:24:56 PM PST
<!--secondary date-->Updated: 01/30/2012 07:24:57 PM PST

An outbreak of norovirus sickened a dozen people earlier this month at Lytton Gardens in downtown Palo Alto, according to a county spokeswoman.

The outbreak, which spanned from Jan. 5 to 18, affected 10 residents and two staff members at the retirement and long-term care facility, said Santa Clara County Health Information Officer Amy Cornell. Most of the cases were reported in its skilled nursing wing.
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Since December, 13 cases of norovirus have been reported at long-term care facilities in the county, said Cornell, noting that the illness can spread quickly in areas where people live in close proximity to one another.

Full text:
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_19855569

 

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Possible outbreak of Norovirus at two Santa Rosa schools

By KERRY BENEFIELD
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:50 p.m.Last Modified: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:50 p.m.

Monroe Elementary School Principal Rachel Valenzuela on Tuesday sent a note home with students informing parents that there ?has been a steady number of students going home and calling in sick with stomach aches and vomiting.?
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Last week Rincon Valley Middle School Principal Matt Marshall included information in his daily email to parents about the contagious condition after 10-12 kids complained of stomach cramps and nausea.
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The Sonoma County Department of Public Health has not confirmed the cases, but interim Public Health Director Mark Netherda said the illness is ?behaving like a Norovirus outbreak.?

Full text:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120131/articles/120139886

 

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Stomach bug closes S.F. high school until Monday

Will Kane, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle February 2, 2012 04:00 AM Thursday, February 2, 2012​

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Officials at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco closed the Jesuit high school until Monday after more than 20 percent of students came down with stomach flu.​

A total of 325 students and 30 teachers have been hit by the virus, school officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Dozens of students went home sick Tuesday after suddenly becoming ill.​

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/01/BAOV1N1ITC.DTL#ixzz1lEKmqF2B​

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Norovirus affecting those in Solano County

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Melissa Murphy/The Reporter, Vacaville/
<!--date-->Posted: 02/09/2012 01:04:28 AM PST
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Norovirus has been packing a punch this winter in Solano County.

The virus resurfaces every year and this year the number of cases has jumped.

"It's a yearly thing," said Dr. Michael Stacey, Solano County's deputy health officer. "It seems to be worse than most years."

It's so much worse, in fact, that five senior centers or nursing homes in the Vacaville and Fairfield area closed their facilities until corrective steps to fight the disease were taken. All have since reopened.

During the closures, visitation was limited, communal eating areas were closed and contact between patients also was limited.

No schools in Solano County have been closed.

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http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_19926360

 

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County confirms virus outbreak at senior-living facility

By KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News - BakersfieldNow.com Published: <ABBR class="published dtstamp" title=2012-02-10T20:29:29Z>Feb 10, 2012 at 12:29 PM PST</ABBR> Last Updated: <ABBR class="updated dtstamp" title=2012-02-11T2:34:22Z>Feb 10, 2012 at 6:34 PM PST</ABBR>
</HEADER>
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) ? A case of a highly-contagious virus is now confirmed. Friday morning the Kern County Public Health Department said a Bakersfield senior-living facility experienced an outbreak of norovirus.

It's an illness probably most often associated with cruise ship outbreaks, but the fast-spreading bug hit the local facility about a week ago.
Carriage House Estates, which is off Gosford Road between White Lane and Ming Avenue, put itself on lockdown last weekend after suspecting norovirus infection among some residents.

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http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/...rsfield-senior-living-facility-139111919.html

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Knightsen stomach flu, absences on the wane today

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Rowena Coetsee
Contra Costa Times

<!--date-->Posted: 02/13/2012 02:32:51 PM PST
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Attendance in Knightsen School District is on the upswing after the largest outbreak of stomach flu in years.

A rapidly spreading virus dealt the tiny one-school district a sucker punch last week by causing a dramatic spike in absences before they began dropping off Monday.

The bug, which is unrelated to the seasonal flu for which vaccinations are available, made its presence known when the number of no-shows soared from 17 on Wednesday -- a typical statistic this time of year -- to 118 on Thursday, said Superintendent Theresa Estrada.
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On Friday, absences climbed to 212 -- almost half the school's population -- although Estrada noted that some parents kept their children home not because they were sick but to avoid infection.

Full text:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19955658

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Contra Costa Norovirus Cases Treated as an Outbreak

By: Brian Shields - Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:14:53 -0800

MARTINEZ (KRON) -- Contra Costa County Health officials say a potential outbreak of the Norovirus is a countywide problem and not just confined to the Oakley area.

The statement follows a letter sent to parents in the Oakley Elementary School District warning of a potential problem with the virus at Laurel Elementary School.

Health Department officials tell KRON 4 News they're getting reports of a spike in the Norovirus, sometimes also called the "stomach flu." Experts say this illness is different from the normal flu virus that normally causes chest congestion and coughing.

More...
http://www.kron4.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=3196

 

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Norovirus sweeping through schools, other Bay Area facilities

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Sandy Kleffman
Bay Area News Group

mercurynews.com
<!--date-->Posted: 02/23/2012 05:44:44 PM PST
<!--secondary date-->February 24, 2012 5:1 AM GMT Updated: 02/23/2012 09:01:58 PM PST

An unusually high number of norovirus outbreaks in Bay Area schools, nursing homes and other facilities has health leaders reminding people to protect themselves from the stomach-churning bug.

Nearly 30 schools in Contra Costa County have reported suspected cases within the past two months. The schools remained open but principals notified parents, and custodians scrubbed desks and tables with bleach-and-water solutions.
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Alameda County has had nearly three times as many cases as last year. Spokeswoman Sherri Willis said she could not provide numbers, but most of the outbreaks have been in skilled nursing and assisted-care facilities, two elementary schools and one day care center.

San Mateo County also is seeing more cases. Halfway through the season, it has had 18 gastrointestinal outbreaks, with nine confirmed as norovirus.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_20031909

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

118 Marina students sickened by suspected norovirus outbreak

KSBW.com
updated 3/9/2012 8:46:19 PM ET 2012-03-10T01:46:19

A suspected norovirus outbreak at a Marina middle school sickened and sent 118 students home on Thursday and Friday, district officials said.

Los Arboles Middle School students who felt norovirus symptoms were instructed to stay home until at least Monday to keep the outbreak from spreading.

"Norovirus can spread quickly from person to person in crowded, closed places like day care centers, schools and hotels," Monterey County Health Department officials said. In addition to the 118 students, the middle school's principal, Annette Bitter, also caught the virus and had to go home sick.

The Marina Fire Department and county health workers converted the school's gym into a make-shift hospital on Thursday because so many students suddenly because severely ill.

More...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4668831...udents-sickened-suspected-norovirus-outbreak/

 

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Players succumb to stomach bug at Indian Wells

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California | Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:44pm EDT

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Intestinal fortitude has become a prized commodity at Indian Wells where Vera Zvonareva and Gael Monfils are among eight players who have succumbed to a widespread viral infection.

Russian Zvonareva, the ninth seed in the WTA tournament, withdrew from her scheduled third-round match on Sunday, gifting Czech Klara Zakopalova a spot in the next round.

Earlier in the day, Frenchman Monfils, the 14th seed in the ATP event, American Vania King and Austrian Juergen Melzer also pulled out because of stomach problems.
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Monfils, who had been set to play his first match against Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the second round, was replaced by lucky loser Bjorn Phau of Germany.
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In a statement issued on Sunday, health officials in the Palm Springs area said the virus had spread across the Coachella Valley, resulting in symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea.
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"... we have seen increases in overall visits to the emergency department by about 15 percent over the past week. We have seen fans and players at the tournament experience these symptoms as well."

Full text:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/12/us-tennis-indian-bug-idUSBRE82A0CK20120312

 

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Tennis-Schiavone latest victim of stomach bug at Indian Wells

March 12 | Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:14pm GMT

March 12 (Reuters) - Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone became the latest victim of the widespread viral infection at Indian Wells when she pulled out of her third-round match in the WTA tournament on Monday.

The 10th-seeded Schiavone, who won her only grand slam singles title at Roland Garros in 2010, withdrew because of a stomach virus when trailing Czech Lucie Safarova 2-6.
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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/12/tennis-indian-virus-idUKL2E8ECBQ520120312

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Five local care centers dealing with norovirus outbreaks

<!--subtitle-->Virus may have sickened 113 Los Arboles students
<!--byline-->

By KEVIN HOWE
Herald Staff Writermontereyherald.com
<!--date-->Posted: 03/12/2012 03:51:00 PM PDT
<!--secondary date-->March 13, 2012 6:14 AM GMT Updated: 03/12/2012 11:14:57 PM PDT

Outbreaks of norovirus, a variety of influenza that can seriously affect small children and the elderly, have been reported at five care centers for the elderly in Monterey County since February, said the county Health Department.

It also may have been the culprit at Los Arboles Middle School in Marina where 113 students were sent home sick last week. County health officials are investigating the cause. While the disease can be fatal in some cases, no deaths have occurred due to norovirus flu or stomach flu, said Kristie Michie, supervising public health epidemiologist with the department.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_20157776

 

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Over 100 students sick after norovirus outbreak

Friday, May 18, 2012

by Nick Smith

PACIFICA, Calif. (KGO) -- In Pacifica a norovirus outbreak has sickened more than a hundred students at two schools. The San Mateo County Health Department confirms the virus hit Ocean Shore Elementary and Ortega Elementary.
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To date, there are at least 105 students affected by flu-like symptoms, ranging from diarrhea to stomach cramps.
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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.
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Full text:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/peninsula&id=8668057

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/walnut-creek-california-pizza-kitchen-shut-down-no/nPXZm/

Posted: 12:13 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2012
Walnut Creek California Pizza Kitchen shut down by norovirus outbreak

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. ? A California Pizza Kitchen restaurant in Walnut Creek has temporarily shut down after a norovirus outbreak made more than a dozen diners there sick, a Contra Costa County health department official said Friday.
County health officials shut down the restaurant in Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza shopping center around 4:30 p.m. Thursday after confirming that norovirus sickened diners there on June 7, health department director Marilyn Underwood said....more from the source

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

320 Students Absent Amid Norovirus Outbreak at Calif. School

Students at Medea Creek Middle School began calling out last week after norovirus began spreading quickly.

By Lolita Lopez and Samantha Tata
| Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 | Updated 8:52 AM CDT

Nearly a third of the students at a middle school in southern California have missed class since last Thursday, as a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus makes its way around the school.

Medea Creek Middle School parent Melinda Pittler carries a bottle of waterless hand sanitizer with her wherever she goes. She and other parents at the suburban Los Angeles school in Oak Park started carrying the germ-killing liquid since the norovirus began spreading through the school last week.

So far, some 320 students have called out sick. On Monday alone, 90 kids were absent.
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It?s suspected that a single student, who became ill last Tuesday, may have introduced the virus to Medea Creek Middle School simply by being with others in the cafeteria.

So far, the virus has only been reported at Medea Creek but health officials are warning residents ? especially families and siblings of Medea Creek students ?
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http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national...rus-Outbreak-Hits-Calif-School-174376481.html

 

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Re: California - Norovirus cases 2012

Health Officials Investigate Norovirus Outbreak

Written by KEY News Staff
Story Created: Dec 5, 2012 at 5:15 PM PST
Story Updated: Dec 5, 2012 at 5:40 PM PST

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is investigating several possible new cases of Norovirus at a local boarding school.
Students at Dunn School in Los Olivos have been sent home for the second time in as many weeks.

About thirty staff members came down with the virus last week. About half of the more than 200 students who attend Dunn School actually live on campus. Because the virus is known to spread very quickly and easily, school officials decided not to take any chances. Students were sent home to keep them from contracting the disease, which is like a more intense version of the stomach flu, that affects the gastrointestinal tract.

More...
http://www.keyt.com/news/local/Health-Officials-Investigate-Norovirus-Outbreak-182285881.html