Many students on the Lasell University campus recently experienced illnesses believed to be caused by norovirus which is a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin 1-2 days after exposure to the virus but could appear as early as 12 hours after initial exposure. The norovirus coincides with Lasell University beginning spring break on Friday, March 7.
Dave Hennessey, Lasell’s Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, became aware of several ill students Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, he started to come up with a plan to inform the Lasell Community,
“Indications were that norovirus was the cause of the illness so we sent out an announcement to let the community know about that and how they could handle things,” he said over email. “You can find information about norovirus online but essentially it is transmitted by contact, so hygiene, especially frequent handwashing, is important.”
Hennessey also stressed that isolating from others to not spread the illness is important.
Lasell University's Health Services Nurse Practitioner Jennifer O’Keefe is advising everyone to keep up with hygiene to help curb the spread. “I cannot stress enough the importance of frequent and thorough handwashing with soap,” she said. “Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective in killing norovirus.”
In a statement received from email, O’Keefe said, “Additionally, norovirus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, so cleaning with a bleach-based product is very important in eliminating the virus. Unfortunately, norovirus is highly contagious, which is why it often affects clusters of people. Our best protection is diligent handwashing and cleaning.”
Jenna Sargent, a junior entertainment media major, experienced norovirus firsthand, “I started feeling really lightheaded on Sunday but that was my only symptom for a few days until Tuesday night when I started vomiting,” she said on Thursday, March 7. “My suitemate also got sick that night, but since then I have been super tired and weak so I’ve just been sleeping. I am still lightheaded but definitely coming out of it.”
Hennessey said that if students have experienced symptoms, they should quarantine for 24-48 hours after being symptom-free. Also, students who have been in close contact with someone with norovirus should also quarantine for 24-48 hours.
Hennessey says that as of Friday, March 7, cases around campus are still on the rise, and students should visit Health Services, which is open during spring break, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or an off-campus healthcare provider.