Reports of norovirus outbreaks at the Shady Creek Outdoor School on the San Juan Ridge, operated by the Sutter County Office of Education, prompted Public Health Offices to issue warnings and guidelines for parents and guardians.

May 20, 2025 at 9:14 AM update Nevada County Public Health and Sutter County Superintendent of Schools are monitoring the situation. Nevada County Health Officer Dr. Sherilynn Cooke shared, “Norovirus rates are high statewide currently.  We initially encountered an issue with gastrointestinal illness at Shady Creek the first week in April and again the second week of April.  A few cases did have lab confirmation of Norovirus.  The school was closed during the 3rd week of April and underwent a professional deep cleaning.  The school was open the last two weeks of April and operated without any episodes of gastrointestinal illness.  Unfortunately,  the first week of May students did become ill.  Enhanced cleaning has continued, health screenings of students and staff attending the school was instituted and modification of some program activities has occurred to minimize the risk of spread. Nevada County Public Health and Environmental Health are fully engaged with Shady Creek Outdoor School, the Sutter Superintendent of schools and Public Health officials in the impacted jurisdictions.”

Cooke stated there are no Norovirus outbreaks in schools in Nevada County other than Shady Creek. There have been no Nevada County students attending the school during these outbreaks. 

We contacted Shady Creek and they released the following statement:

Shady Creek Outdoor School serves over 5,000 students each year from more than 16 counties across California. With over 60 years of history, we’re proud to provide safe, transformative outdoor education experiences for thousands of young people.We remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment.

 In recent weeks, we proactively ended three program sessions early after students exhibited symptoms suspected to be related to norovirus. Two of these sessions concluded one day ahead of schedule, and one session ended two days early. Shady Creek remains open and all decisions are made in close consultation with Nevada County Public Health, Nevada County Environmental Health, and the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools. We do have concerns that students may be coming to Shady Creek asymptomatically carrying Norovirus.  We are proactively communicating with all schools and working with them to ensure there are enhanced health screenings prior to students arriving at camp.

Following the initial incident in April, a professional cleaning company was brought in to conduct a comprehensive sanitization of the campus. Additional deep cleanings have since occurred, and we continue to follow strict infection control protocols and public health guidance, including daily AM/PM disinfection of cabins, restrooms, and common areas. 

Our team is fully committed to the health and well-being of every student, teacher, and staff member who comes through our program. We remain in regular contact with public health authorities to provide a safe and healthy environment.

Butte County Public Health, in a press release issued yesterday, stated “As of May 15, 2025, three separate outbreaks at the camp have impacted elementary school students from Butte County… Laboratory testing has confirmed cases of norovirus among individuals who attended the camp. In total, 36 individuals have reported symptoms consistent with norovirus illness.”

What is norovirus?

Norovirus is a virus (a type of germ) that is the most common cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that every year in the United States norovirus causes:

  • 19 to 21 million illnesses
  • 2,270,000 outpatient clinic visits annually, mostly in young children
  • 465,000 emergency department visits, mostly in young children
  • 109,000 hospitalizations
  • 900 deaths, mostly among adults aged 65 years and older

Norovirus is very contagious, meaning it spreads quickly and easily between people. Norovirus can spread quickly in places such as schools, shelters, jails/prisons, camps, hospitals, nursing homes, and cruise ships.

Illness from norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” but it is not related to flu viruses, which mainly cause respiratory symptoms (such as coughing and lung infection).​ [source: CDPH]

How to Help Prevent the Spread of Norovirus:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are NOT effective against norovirus.
  • Stay home when sick — children and adults should remain home until at least 48 hours after symptoms (vomiting or diarrhea) have stopped.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner, especially after someone has been sick. Norovirus can survive on surfaces for days.
  • Wash clothing and linens that may have been contaminated with vomit or stool using hot water and detergent.
  • Avoid preparing food for others while sick and for at least two days after symptoms resolve.