Valencia Elementary School in Aptos temporarily closed on Friday following an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness affecting several students, according to a letter sent out to parents by Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
There have been 93 reported cases at the school as of Nov. 5, with additional cases still being identified, according to a public health alert released by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. The elementary school will reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 12, following the Veterans Day holiday on Monday.
In late October, there were 33 confirmed cases reported in a workplace setting in Santa Cruz County, but there is no correlation between this outbreak and the one at Valencia Elementary.
Noroviruses are a common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks, according to the county health services agency. This kind of virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through contact with surfaces contaminated with stool or vomit or consuming contaminated food or drinks.
Communities that are highly vulnerable to norovirus exposure include schools, residential communities and child care centers. It spreads mostly through touching the mouth after coming in contact with contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasionally fever, usually lasts up to one to three days. Even after symptoms go away, individuals are still highly contagious.
County health officials recommend residents to frequently wash their hands after coming in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, before and after using the restroom and preparing food.
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