Stomach Bug Outbreak Sweeping Through Area Schools
Dr. George Han, Santa Clara County’s deputy public health director, says the number of affected is higher than usual, but the illness is still mild.
The Mercury News:
Santa Clara County Reports Outbreak Of Stomach Flu
Santa Clara County public health officials on Tuesday confirmed an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, in at least a dozen schools around the county, forcing some schools to cancel all non-instructional events this week — and possibly beyond. The outbreak follows outbreaks of a similar illness called norovirus that have occurred recently around the state, including in Northern California’s Yolo County, where at least 1,000 students, teachers and staff were sickened by norovirus this month. Since January, San Mateo County has reported only a handful of norovirus cases. (Seipel, 5/16)
In other news from across the state —
Sacramento Bee:
Botulism Outbreak From Gas Station Nacho Cheese Prompts Lawsuit
Sacramento County health officials have confirmed five cases of botulism in patients who ate at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station, and are investigating three other probable cases and one suspect case, with all nine patients still hospitalized. Officials believe the outbreak is linked to nacho cheese sauce that was served at the station, but the exact cause of the poisoning is still under investigation, officials said. (Caiola, 5/16)
Orange County Register:
Portable Toilets For Homeless Moved To Anaheim Site On Santa Ana River Trail, But Likely To Be Moved Again
Three portable toilets installed without permits for use by homeless people living along the Santa Ana River bike trail are now a health and safety concern for Anaheim and won’t be allowed to remain on city property, a city spokesman said Tuesday, May 16. The toilets, purchased and installed by homeless advocates over the weekend, were initially placed at a spot near Rampart Street and Orangewood Avenue that falls under county jurisdiction, an action that a county spokesperson on Monday, May 15, said was unauthorized. (Walker, 5/16)
KPBS:
Many Canned Foods Still Contain Toxic Chemical
A new report from the Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health (CEH) found many canned foods still contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has been linked to birth defects and cancer. The center tested more than 250 cans of food from major retailers in nine states, including California and New York. (Goldberg, 5/17)