Update on Student Illnesses

The Maryland Department of Health has advised the University of Maryland that laboratory tests indicate that a norovirus, sometimes called Norwalk virus, is the probable culprit in the illness that sent more than 100 high school students to hospitals earlier this week.

The students were at the University of Maryland attending a National Student Leadership Conference. Managers of the leadership group are following the guidance of the Prince George's County Health Department in managing the situation, and have been in contact with the parents of all the students.

Norovirus can cause short-term gastrointestinal illness with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. The virus can be transmitted through contaminated foods, person-to-person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces, but usually leaves no lasting heath effects.

State and county health officials are still investigating the source of this week's outbreak. County health inspectors have said that the university's food services operation was up to code on all factors.

University officials have already begun thoroughly disinfecting LaPlata Hall, the residence hall where the high school students were staying when the outbreak began. They also will disinfect all other areas visited by the students. University staff working in the affected areas have been advised of appropriate precautions to protect their own health, including wearing protective gloves while working and washing hands frequently afterwards.

The virus normally runs its course in 24-48 hours. Most of the students who were taken to hospitals this week were treated and released and are now showing no symptoms. The conference concludes on Thursday.

For more information about noroviruses, visit this web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-qa.htm.