Statement on GI Illnesses at Babson College

Posted by: 
Tom Lyons, Department of Public Health

(Updated 3/30)  Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are assisting the Town of Wellesley Health Department, and officials from Babson College with a large outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on that campus.  Since Wednesday, March 25, more than 100 students and staff have experienced nausea and vomiting and diarrhea.  We believe that these illnesses are likely caused by noroviruses  -- a group of particularly strong viruses that can cause such signs and symptoms.  As of Sunday evening, March 29, reports from the Wellesley Health Department and the College indicate that the number of newly reported cases has declined significantly.

Because noroviruses are so easily spread person-to-person, congregate living facilities like college campuses are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.

Babson College is taking all necessary steps to control this outbreak, including thorough environmental cleaning and providing prevention information to the campus community.

Last month DPH issued a health advisory about a rise in gastrointestinal illnesses across the state.

Everyone can reduce their chances of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these simple tips:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them. 
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using bleach-based household cleaner. 
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap). 
• Flush any vomit or stool down the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean. 
• Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.  

  For a fact sheet on norovirus and how to prevent infection click here.

  A recent Podcast on Norovirus: (Transcript)

  

  Wellesley Health Department:  www.wellesleyma.gov/health

  Babson College web site (including updates from the college):  www.babson.edu

Comments

[Tom Lyons]

David, thanks for your question. The State Lab does not do PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of norovirus samples, given the costs involved and the fact that such tests would be of limited or no value to controlling an outbreak. Back in 2007, the Boston Public Health Commission did assist the CDC by sending samples to Atlanta and those samples did indeed help in identifying new strains of noroviruses circulating that year.

[David Diamond]

Does the State Lab do PCR testing for NLV, and do they want clinicians to be sending in specimens to track whether there is epidemic GE due to emergence of a particular NLV in MA.