More than two dozen students in a University of Minnesota residence hall have fallen ill from a suspected viral infection of unknown origin within a short period this week, prompting school officials to notify residents of the outbreak and disinfect four dormitories and two dining facilities to prevent further illnesses.
Suspected norovirus outbreak sickens 28 students in University of Minnesota dorm
Four residence halls have been disinfected, as have two dining areas.
April 7, 2016 at 8:20PM
So far, 28 students in Frontier who have suffered from what state health officials suspect is a strain of norovirus, Minnesota Health Department spokesman Dough Schultz said Thursday. The university described the symptoms as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Norovirus is the most common cause of sudden intestinal illness. It is often mistakenly called "stomach flu," but it's not related to influenza.
State investigators are interviewing the sickened students about "what they've been eating and where they've been eating," Schultz said. He said his department started receiving reports of the illnesses early Wednesday.
Frontier is one of four halls located on adjacent blocks known collectively as the "Superblock" on the U's east bank. Frontier students eat their meals at neighboring Pioneer and Centennial halls.
Those three halls, along with Territorial, have been "thoroughly cleaned," as have the two dining facilities that serve students in those dormitories, said university spokesman Steve Henneberry.
"Housing staff are cleaning bathrooms, common spaces such as lounges, hallways, and surfaces such as railings, elevator buttons, door handles, etc.," Henneberry said. It's up to students to clean their rooms, he added.
Housing officials also have in place a "rapid response" cleanup plan, should any additional illnesses occur in the dorms or dining areas.
Henneberry said the notice that the 700-plus Frontier residents received is unusual, noting it's the first he has seen in several years. The notice was limited to Frontier students because the illnesses had not spread elsewhere, he said.
"Over the past 24 hours," began the notice, which went out Wednesday, "the university has received reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in residents of Frontier Hall. The cause is unknown, although the symptoms are consistent with a mild, self-limiting viral infection."
Among the precautionary measures students were urged to take:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
• Do not share food, drinks or eating utensils.
• Do not have contact with someone who is sick.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
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