About 15 students were hospitalized this weekend with gastrointestinal illnesses.
In an email sent to first-year students Sunday, Student Health Director Chris Holstege said local Health Department officials were investigating the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness.
"Most of the students are first-years, and rumors are circulating that the illness is due to food poisoning from the dining halls," he said. "At this time, there is no factual basis to confirm the origin of the illness. It is possible that this is a fast-spreading stomach virus. Most students are recovering within 24 hours.”
A third-year resident advisor in Alderman Road dormitories said he thought the illness could be the result of food poisoning. At least 10 of his 24 residents were sick after eating at Runk and O’Hill dining halls, he said.
The RA, who wished to remain anonymous, said first years in different dormitories became ill with the same symptoms within hours of each other on Friday evening. He said extreme vomiting was the main symptom.
“At least eight [other] resident advisors have residents who are sick,” he said. “I had a lot of throw-up in my hallway that I cleaned up with a puke kit. The rest [was] cleaned by housekeeping and maintenance.”
Ben Connelly, a first-year Engineering student, became ill on Saturday evening after eating a sausage calzone at O’Hill. He said he believes his symptoms are consistent with food poisoning.
“There didn’t seem to be anything going around, and then all of a sudden everyone got sick on one night,” he said. “I read up a little on my symptoms and it seems worse than the regular stomach flu, and more similar to food poisoning.”
Connelly said he was glad to receive Holstege’s email recognizing the fact that many first years were experiencing illness and discomfort. At least three of his hallmates on the second floor of Cauthen dormitory were sick as well, he added.
Holstege recommended students affected drink Gatorade and pick up “Flu Relief Bundles,” both of which are available to students for free.
“The housekeeping staff has been sanitizing the bathrooms in the first-year residence halls today.” he said. “Please help this effort by washing your hands frequently and doing everything possible to stop the spread of germs.”
According to the email, symptoms of gastrointestinal illness “include fatigue, lack of appetite, abdominal growling and cramping, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.” With proper care, the symptoms should not last longer than a couple days.
“Theres no real consequences other than the frustration,” the resident advisor added. “[The University] did a good job of responding immediately.”
Students with harsh symptoms are encouraged to seek medical treatment.
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