Virus Causes Closure of SF High School
St. Ignatius College Preparatory will remain closed for the rest of the week after a stomach virus sickened more than 300 students and 30 teachers at the school this week.
The school was closed on Wednesday because of an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis, which causes diarrhea and vomiting. Several students called in sick on Tuesday and dozens more were sent home throughout the day.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health spent much of the day on Wednesday cleaning the campus. Initial investigations show that the campuses kitchen and water supply were not the cause of the outbreak.
San Francisco Unified School District posted a notice on its website that they are monitoring the situation closely.
The virus is only potentially fatal among the very young or very old who have pre-existing illnesses.
Health officials said that students and teachers who are sick have been asked to stay home for 72 hours until symptoms have decreased or gone away.
Photo Credit: St. Ignatius College Preparatory
