120 get ill at UGA (Athens, GA); virus is suspected

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 2.17.04 | ETAN HOROWITZ

[mhking]

About 120 people, mostly University of Georgia students, have been treated since Wednesday for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, university and local health officials said.

Health officials said they believe a virus is causing the ailments. They have not found any evidence linking the students to each other that would suggest food-borne illness. The sick students live in different residence halls and eat at different locations.

Lynn Beckmann, an infectious diseases coordinator with the Georgia Division of Public Health, said a few students starting feeling sick on Wednesday, but the majority were hit over the weekend. Students and members of the community were treated at the University Health Center and Athens hospitals. A few were admitted as patients over the weekend, she said. Officials believe all have been released.

"This is looking a lot like the Norwalk virus," Beckmann said. "There's no confirmation, but it fits the picture."

Noroviruses, sometimes referred to as the "Norwalk" virus, are a group of viruses that cause stomach flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. The illness generally lasts a day or two.

Samples taken from several people will be sent to a state lab for analysis. It could take weeks before results come back. The virus can be spread from contaminated people to objects, Beckmann said. She advised students and others to wash their hands frequently.

[mhking]

Ping...

[junkyarddawg]

Not really just students. A lot of people in town have the same thing.

[Amelia]

Water system?

[junkyarddawg]

I don't think so. It is just one of several nasty bugs going around right now. One of which i have right now.

[mhking]

Not really just students. A lot of people in town have the same thing.

I heard. 11 Alive did a piece from out there last night.

[junkyarddawg]

My sister works for UGA, she had it about 2 weeks ago. 5 full days of throwing up and diarhea (sp) but she did'nt get it there she got it from her grandson who had it. Of course he got it in pre school. Guy in our church had to be in hospital with it.

[Amelia]

It is just one of several nasty bugs going around right now. One of which i have right now.

Don't breathe on me! ;-)

I hope you feel better!

[PAR35]

They have not found any evidence linking the students to each other that would suggest food-borne illness. The sick students live in different residence halls and eat at different locations.

I don't know about now, but the University used to produce its own dairy products which were available across campus and which were used by many in the community as well.

The CDC is only an hour and a half down the road, so they should be able to get a team on it without delay if it is something significant.

[toupsie]

When I was in college we used to call this a really bad hangover...

[NewRomeTacitus]

Who's handling the food?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1078930/posts

[Jabba the Nutt]

Well, I think the virus hit Cen Mich U this week. Lot of the students are sick. My wife works at the library and last night we both hacked out our entire GI tract. Gee, that small intestine looks interesting. Other than vomiting, I felt pretty normal, but the wife aches all over. She may stay home tomorrow too, I got into work in the afternoon.

[solitas]

There isn't a Chi-Chi's in the area, is there? (hey - what can you say about a country that uses human waste to fertilize it's onions? what can you say about a company that knows this and buys 'em anyway?)

[bornintexas]

It's also going around in Texas and my grandchildren had it in Oklahoma.....