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Norovirus Outbreak Closes Air Force Child Care Centers

Woman addressing classroom full of children
Wikimedia Commons
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

An Air Force installation in Florida has closed its child care centers due to an outbreak of norovirus.

In a Facebook post, Hurlburt Field officials said its youth center and three child development centers would remain closed until Dec. 18 "in an abundance of caution to prevent the continued spread of illness."

A Northwest Florida Daily News report says 1st Special Operations Wing Commander Col. Thomas Palenske said over 40 cases of norovirus had been reported by Friday at the installation that's the headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations Command.

Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea.

In a post on his Facebook page, Palenske urged troops with sick children to stay home with them until they are well to "protect our families and our combat capability."