A virus, believed to be the Norovirus usually found on cruise ships, is spreading through at least two San Diego schools.
The virus is usually associated with cruise ships because of the close quarters.
“I was sick all of Saturday and getting recovering on Sunday,” said Stephanie Nelson.
The student at Point Loma Nazarene University is just one of about 200 students that contracted the virus in the last week. That's more than 10 percent of the student population.
“Once a couple of people have it, person to person transmission is very easy,” said family nurse practitioner Karen Windoffer.
Students were notified of the outbreak by e-mail just a week before final exams.
“This virus is a very hearty virus. It lasts up to several days on surfaces,” said Windoffer.
Students were told that the best way to prevent it is frequent hand washing. Extra personnel were brought in to wipe down chairs, desks and the computer lab.
Less than 10 miles away, the Mission Hills Community Preschool was closed. A school employee said they believe the same virus hit them.
11 students out of 44 were sick, along with half the teachers. They plan on reopening classrooms Monday.
The source of the illness has not been determined at either location.
