Possible Norovirus Outbreak at Santa Monica's John Adams Middle School

SANTA MONICA, CA -- Students from John Adams Middle School were possibly exposed to the norovirus during a science field trip to Yosemite National Park last week, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced Thursday.

About 190 students, along with several teachers and parents were on the trip, which lasted five days. Several students exhibit signs of the gastrointestinal illness during the trip and all parents were notified Sunday, the district said.

The students returned to Santa Monica on Friday but did not return to school until Monday. The district said it is working to identify the extent of the illness.

"The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we are working closely with Los Angeles Department of Public Health to institute control measures in order to help prevent the spread of this illness," the district said in a statement.

The LACDPH believes the illness originated in Yosemite, potentially exposing students from other school districts, according to the SMMUSD.

Norovirus is highly contagious and the people who are carrying the virus may still feel well when the are contagious, making containment difficult, the district said.

The illness may have already infected students who were not on the trip as well as students in other schools with siblings attending JAMS, the district said.

"We have ongoing cleaning with cleansers suggested by LACDPH at JAMS, and any other classrooms and facilities where we learn of a case, and we will continue with this practice," the district said.

Parents were urged to keep their children out of school and notify health officials if the students show any signs of infection.

According to the LACDPH, symptoms of norovirus usually begin within an hour to 48 hours after exposure. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

According to the LACDPH, people can become infected with gastrointestinal illnesses in some of the following ways:

• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the infectious agent and then placing their hands in their mouths
• Having direct contact with another person who is infected (for example, caring for someone who is ill or sharing utensils with someone who is ill)
• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with the infectious agent.

For more information on how to counteract the norovirus, visit the LACDPH.

-- Photo courtesy of the CDC