Norwalk virus strikes campuses on East Coast
Public health officials in New Brunswick confirmed on October 18 that an outbreak of the Norwalk virus is the culprit responsible for causing approximately 300 students at Sackville's Mount Allison University to become ill.
Health officials identified the virus through samples taken from students, and staff that were stricken with Norwalk-type symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
“The health of our students is continuing to improve with only a few new reported cases of illness,” university spokesperson Stephen McClatchie said in a release on October 17.
Closing of buildings and cancellation of extracurricular activities resulted for the weekend following the outbreak. Classes were cancelled on Monday October 16 as well.
Extra cleaning crews were brought in to thoroughly scour bathrooms, doorknobs, and computer equipment in eight of the eleven university residences on campus, and tables, counter tops and food stations in all dining areas.
The virus is thought to have spread through students in the university dorms, where they share bathrooms and live in close quarters, as well as cafeteria salad bars.
The stomach bug hit student Fraser Harland hard on October 14.
“I went to bed at one in the morning and I was woken up at two with a very upset stomach. I just started vomiting and it was like that for the rest of that night, basically on the hour every hour,” Fraser told CBC News.
Following the incident in Sackville, thirty students at a Nova Scotia university have become sick with similar Norwalk-like symptoms.
As of the morning of Wednesday October 18, officials at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish knew that 17 students were suffering and another 13 had the symptoms and had recovered.
University officials were hesitant to state the cause of the sicknesses but public health officials said that they suspected the Norwalk virus is to blame.
“Public health is testing samples to determine the kind of virus. Until we have the test results, we can't say for certain,” Mark MacAuly, the university's director of health, told CBC News on October 18.
The Norwalk virus infection is an intestinal illness that often occurs in outbreaks. Individuals generally get the Norwalk virus infection by swallowing food or water that has been contaminated with stool from an infected person.
The virus was first identified in 1972 after an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Norwalk, Ohio. Other viruses with similar features have been described as Norwalk-like viruses, and have since been classified as members of the calicivirus family.
Signs of a Norwalk virus infection include nausea, projectile vomiting, explosive diarrhea, and stomach cramps. People affected by the virus usually recover within two or three days without serious or long-term health effects.
Norwalk virus infection can be prevented by; washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food, washing raw vegetables before eating, and disposing of sewage in a sanitary manner.
Health officials identified the virus through samples taken from students, and staff that were stricken with Norwalk-type symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration.
“The health of our students is continuing to improve with only a few new reported cases of illness,” university spokesperson Stephen McClatchie said in a release on October 17.
Closing of buildings and cancellation of extracurricular activities resulted for the weekend following the outbreak. Classes were cancelled on Monday October 16 as well.
Extra cleaning crews were brought in to thoroughly scour bathrooms, doorknobs, and computer equipment in eight of the eleven university residences on campus, and tables, counter tops and food stations in all dining areas.
The virus is thought to have spread through students in the university dorms, where they share bathrooms and live in close quarters, as well as cafeteria salad bars.
The stomach bug hit student Fraser Harland hard on October 14.
“I went to bed at one in the morning and I was woken up at two with a very upset stomach. I just started vomiting and it was like that for the rest of that night, basically on the hour every hour,” Fraser told CBC News.
Following the incident in Sackville, thirty students at a Nova Scotia university have become sick with similar Norwalk-like symptoms.
As of the morning of Wednesday October 18, officials at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish knew that 17 students were suffering and another 13 had the symptoms and had recovered.
University officials were hesitant to state the cause of the sicknesses but public health officials said that they suspected the Norwalk virus is to blame.
“Public health is testing samples to determine the kind of virus. Until we have the test results, we can't say for certain,” Mark MacAuly, the university's director of health, told CBC News on October 18.
The Norwalk virus infection is an intestinal illness that often occurs in outbreaks. Individuals generally get the Norwalk virus infection by swallowing food or water that has been contaminated with stool from an infected person.
The virus was first identified in 1972 after an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Norwalk, Ohio. Other viruses with similar features have been described as Norwalk-like viruses, and have since been classified as members of the calicivirus family.
Signs of a Norwalk virus infection include nausea, projectile vomiting, explosive diarrhea, and stomach cramps. People affected by the virus usually recover within two or three days without serious or long-term health effects.
Norwalk virus infection can be prevented by; washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food, washing raw vegetables before eating, and disposing of sewage in a sanitary manner.
