Following reports of norovirus outbreaks in Yolo  and Sacramento Counties, officials with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) are reporting a possible outbreak of norovirus in northern Santa Barbara County schools.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

To date, schools in the Orcutt School District (specifically Alice Shaw, Joe Nightingale, Patterson Road, Pine Grove, and Ralph Dunlap Schools) and the Manzanita Charter School on Vandenberg Air Force Base are reporting numerous cases of gastro-intestinal symptoms consistent with norovirus.

Norovirus typically peaks in the winter months (January/February), however California as a whole is seeing outbreaks of norovirus in schools at this time.

All schools involved are working cooperatively with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) and are immediately instituting proper cleaning methods and all necessary measures to halt the spread of the virus. These outbreaks are very likely Norovirus and the PHD has begun its investigation and is working through the weekend to conduct appropriate lab testing. Results are expected to be available this weekend.

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