Health officials in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, blamed norovirus for sickening more than 200 Ursinus College students, some of whom required emergency room or urgent care, the college announced as classes resumed Monday.
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Officials said those who have been ill should take steps to stem the spread of the virus by practicing good hygiene, avoiding unaffected people for a few days and cleaning clothes, linens and contaminated surfaces.
On Thursday afternoon – with about 185 students sick – the school voluntarily canceled afternoon and evening classes and all Friday classes as well as all weekend events. Twenty-two students were treated at hospitals last week, but none was admitted. “While the illness has been truly unfortunate, this has been a model of cooperation between the various health agencies and Ursinus”.
“At this time, the Health Department believes that Ursinus College administration and its staff have done everything they can do in terms of focusing on monitoring illness, promoting hand hygiene, conducting environmental disinfection, and excluding ill food workers”, Paoline said in a press release. Health officials said most students affected reported that symptoms went away within 12 to 24 hours. It remains unknown whether the illness was food-borne or transmitted person to person.
“This is the agent we have suspected since this outbreak began”, said Montgomery County Commissioner Valerie Arkoosh, a physician and interim medical director of the county health department.
Ursinus had shutdown its dining facilities soon after the outbreak started.
All areas in the school campus including the cafeteria have been cleaned, disinfected and sanitized. She said additional reports continue to trickle in. Ursinus also cancelled all weekend activities, including an alumni recommitment ceremony Saturday.
“Ursinus’ first priority is the health and well-being of our students”, said President Brock Blomberg. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from the surrounding community and beyond during this challenging time”.
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More information about Norovirus and how to prevent its spread is available on the CDC website. Doctors were giving anti-nausea and antidiarrheal medication to help treat the illness and help students rehydrate themselves.
