Suspected Norovirus Outbreak at NJ Colleges
Dozens of students fall ill with gastrointestinal illness: school officials
NBC10.com - Tim Furlong
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It looks like the a suspected outbreak of Norovirus at some New Jersey colleges continued to cause problems Friday.
Dozens of New Jersey college students were treated after a possible outbreak of the norovirus.
Late Thursday about 58 students from Rider's Lawrenceville campus experienced gastrointestinal illnesses that required some to be hospitalized. Similar cases were recently reported at nearby Princeton University where 100 students have been sickened, a quarter of them coming in for treatment in the past two days.
On Friday morning at least five more cases had popped up in Rider dorms and those students were being treated at the campus health center, Lawrenceville Township Police said.
Health officials believe the norovirus could be at fault. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and cramping.
Authorities suspect that the cause of the illness is the norovirus, an outbreak of which began a week ago and is continuing at Princeton University. We are coordinating treatment information with that university. We have also informed neighboring institutions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of the norovirus infection usually include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, and stomach cramping. Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and general sense of fatigue. Norovirus illness is usually not serious. Most people get better in 1 to 2 days. People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin feeling sick until at least 3 days after they recover.
Norovirus is spread by touching surfaces, having direct contact or sharing food that has come in contact with infected people's vomit or stool, according to officials.
Campus food and custodial services are taking precautions by cleaning and sterilizing bathrooms, dining halls and other areas. They are also asking students to take extra precautions like not sharing drinks and washing their hands.
Students or staff who feel ill should call ext. 5029 or 609-896-5029. Any students feeling ill will be directed to the Conover lounge, according to school officials.
Classes and events at Rider will go on as scheduled despite the outbreak.
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