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Connecticut University Closes After "Viral-like" Outbreak Sickens Students

Western Connecticut State University shut down its campus on Monday (April 23) after a "viral-like illness" made around one hundred students sick since last Thursday. Fourteen students were taken to the hospital and five of those students tested positive for norovirus. 

The school said it is working with the Connecticut Department of Health, the Danbury Department of Health, Danbury Hospital and the WCSU Director of Health Services to clean and sanitize the campus. Officials said they have not decided if the campus will re-open on Tuesday. 

Officials asked any students who live nearby to return home to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Many students at the school are commuters and do not live on campus. For students who remained on campus, the school advised them to wash fruits and vegetables before eating and clean surfaces with bleach wipes. They also warned students not to share cups and utensils.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can be contracted through contaminated food or through close contact with somebody who is sick. Not everybody who has norovirus shows symptoms, but they can still be contagious. Symptoms begin within 12 to 48 hours and can last a few days. Most people will recover without medical treatment. 

Photo: By Andrew Gusciora [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons