Rider Confirms Norovirus Outbreak

New Jersey's Rider University confirmed Sunday that norovirus was the cause of an outbreak of illness that affected around 75 students over the course of the last week.

The university said that 13 additional cases of illness were reported between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Three of those cases required re-hydration at an area hospital.

Initially, Rider reported Thursday that 58 students were affected by gastrointestinal illness. On Friday morning, five additional cases were reported by Lawrenceville Township Police.

Rider is not the only local university to be affected. Around 100 students at nearby Princeton University were affected by a similar illness in the past couple weeks.

Symptoms usually include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and cramping. 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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