At least 10 Northwestern University students are suspected of contracting norovirus earlier this month, and university officials are warning students to practice good hygiene and notify health authorities if they fall ill.
“Northwestern Health Services first became aware of cases of gastroenteritis-like symptoms on April 8,” Northwestern officials said in an email. “Over the course of the next several days, 10 students with similar symptoms sought medical attention at Health Services. The symptoms of the illness were found to be consistent with a relatively short-lived illness.”
According to a statement on the university’s Health Service website, the illness was reported by residents in several campus housing and Greek life residences. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Test results from April 13 confirmed the bug as norovirus, officials said.
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach virus, according to information about the condition on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
“At least half of all foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis can be attributed to noroviruses,” according to IDPH.
The virus is spread mostly from fecal matter when a person who has it does not properly wash their hands after toileting and before handling food – that, subsequently, is not fully cooked, according the state public health agency.
“Heating foods to cooking temperatures kills these viruses,” according to the IDPH website.
Norovirus was responsible for sickening hundreds of students at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles in January, according to Tribune reports. The school was forced to shut down for two days.
Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said the university worked with the city’s Department of Health to determine and contain the illness.
“These things happen, communicable diseases in close quarters, folks 18 to 22 years old. It happens far more often than you think,” Bobkiewicz said.
University officials said they believe the outbreak is under control.
“The spread of the virus appears to have been contained, though Health Services continues to monitor the situation,” officials said.
gbookwalter@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @GenevieveBook
