Norovirus Outbreaks In Santa Barbara
Be careful out there fellow Barbarians. You DON'T want to mess with the Norovirus.
Within the past year in Santa Barbara County, there were 13 outbreaks with upwards of 300 people affected. Five of the outbreaks were lab confirmed.
"There can be as many as 250 to 300 additional cases for everyone that gets lab confirmed," said Mickiewicz.
One of the 13 outbreaks was at Dunn School in Los Olivos in December. In order to prevent the virus from spreading through the campus, students were let out on an early and extended holiday break and will return Monday, January 7.
Although it can be called the stomach flu, it is not an influenza virus meaning there is no vaccination.
However, the tips for how to stay norovirus free are simple. "The biggest thing is hand washing but there are a couple other things. One is if you are sick, not to take care of other people or prepare food for other people when you are yourself sick," said Mickiewicz.- KEYTNews
Labels: food safety, Norovirus, Santa Barbara
