Flea infestation prompts two Oakland schools to close during cleanup effort

Classrooms were empty and cleanup efforts underway Thursday and Friday at two co-located elementary schools in East Oakland after a major flea problem developed there, school district officials said.

Esperanza and Korematsu Discovery Academy elementary schools on E Street near 104th Avenue remained closed to both students and staff while crews complete a deep cleaning of classrooms and common areas, including removing all carpeting where fleas have been found to live and lay eggs, according to the Oakland Unified School District.