Medical health officer Paul Martiquet has issued a memorandum to students and teachers after a Norwalk virus was detected this week.
"We have notes going home today and tomorrow with students," superintendent of schools Stewart Hercus said at Tuesday night's school board meeting in Pender Harbour.
Norwalk or Norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness often referred to as stomach flu and is a common illness, Martiquet said.
"There is an abrupt onset of nausea and/or vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sometimes additionally low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Children experience more vomiting than adults. The illness is usually brief with symptoms lasting only one to three days," a memorandum from Martiquet stated.
The virus is spread from person to person on unwashed hands. Martiquet says frequent hand washing is the single most important measure to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus from person to person.
"Staff and students are encouraged to wash their hands as often as possible to prevent the spread of the virus. A proper hand wash requires warm running water, soap and rubbing hands together for about 30 seconds," the memorandum states.For more information on Norwalk virus, visit www.bchealthguide.org and search for Norovirus.
