Dear Students,

We are continuing to see students with gastroenteritis, the stomach bug.

We have consulted with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and have had laboratory specimens sent to the Santa Clara County Public Laboratory. Yesterday, December 6th, we were notified one of the specimens was positive for Norovirus. Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis, responsible for at least 50% of all gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide.

Norovirus spreads very easily. It is spread by handling items or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus or eating/drinking contaminated food or water. Frequent hand washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces is most important in prevention.

Please see the excellent fact sheet regarding Norovirus illness from the Centers for Disease Control website:

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/downloads/keyfacts.pdf

Cowell Center Student Health Services