Statement on GI Illnesses at Babson College

By: Tom Lyons, MA Department of Public Health

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, about 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.
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.

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This blog post was originally posted on the MA DPH blog, Commonwealth Conversations, and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the MA DPH.