Valencia Elementary School, located in Aptos, CA, California, suspended operations last Thursday following a widespread outbreak of suspected norovirus that affected hundreds of students. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) announced the closure on Friday to prevent further transmission of the highly contagious virus.
The scale of the outbreak became apparent when student absences surged dramatically, jumping from over 80 students on Wednesday to 236 by Thursday, according to school district officials. The rapid increase raised concerns among school staff, with one anonymous employee questioning why the facility wasn’t closed sooner and why staff weren’t initially informed about the norovirus connection.
PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras explained that the district has been coordinating with the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (HSA) since the outbreak began. The decision to keep the school open on Thursday was based on Wednesday’s assessment that the initial number of illness-related absences didn’t warrant closure, and officials believed that overnight deep cleaning and sanitization measures would be sufficient to contain the spread.
In a related development, the HSA reported 33 additional cases of gastrointestinal illness at a separate workplace setting in late October, though these cases appear unconnected to the school outbreak. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported in either incident.
Norovirus contamination poses a significant health risk, particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems. What makes norovirus contamination especially concerning is that infected food or water often appears, smells, and tastes normal, making it difficult to detect without proper testing.
Symptoms of norovirus infection typically include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms can be particularly severe in vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Because norovirus spreads easily through contaminated surfaces and close contact, schools are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. The virus is highly infectious, requiring only a few viral particles for transmission, and infected individuals can remain contagious for up to two weeks after symptoms resolve, with the first 48 hours being especially critical.
Health officials recommend several preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus. Staying home is advised until 48 hours after symptoms end along with maintaining thorough cleaning protocols, including using EPA-recommended disinfectants and a 1:10 bleach-water solution for contaminated surfaces.
The district has instructed families to monitor their children for symptoms and keep them home if they show signs of illness. School officials will continue deep cleaning procedures during the closure to ensure a safe environment when students return.
Commenting on this article, one national norovirus lawyer said, “Norovirus is extremely contagious and often multiplies in places where people are closely grouped together, like schools, hospitals, and cruise ships. Any consumer experiencing symptoms of norovirus should consume water and sports drinks to stay hydrated. If symptoms worsen, I recommend contacting your doctor.”
