D.C.
Department of Health Confirms: Norovirus Back at CUA
Source of Article: http://blogs.cuatower.com/2009/01/26/norovirus/ Norovirus, which spread across campus in December 2006, is back according
to an e-mail from the CUA Office of Public Affairs. Today, D.C.’s Department of Health told “While all the known instances of the illness have occurred among the
student population, all members of the campus community are asked to be
attentive to this outbreak and to follow recommendations for containing it,”
said the e-mail. “In particular, we would like to remind all students to be
vigilant about hand washing, to not share eating utensils, and to refrain
from group activities, if they are ill.” In Dec. 2006, 130 Two separate food inspectors with the DOH found several critical
violations on Dec. 12, 2006, which required correction within five days. Such
violations included improper glove and hair restraint, poor hand-washing,
unclean food utensils and equipment, and the presence of fruit flies. While the food preparation area violations were “not egregious,” the
University fixed them and in addition, has spent thousands of dollars on new
equipment and training for custodial staff. On Dec. 13, 2006, four food samples were taken from the cafeteria: the
jerk chicken, The DOH recommended increasing the availability of alcohol-based hand
cleaning gels in the cafeteria. The University was working on placing the
dispensers in computer labs and other common areas and encouraging students
to wash their hands frequently. The Jan. 26, 2009 e-mail from Victor Nakas: The District of Columbia Department of Health informed Catholic University
Student Health Services this afternoon that initial test results indicate
that the recent gastrointestinal illness being experienced by some CUA
students is caused by norovirus. Since the first
student was treated late in the evening on Jan. 21, 23 students have reported
symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While all the known instances of the illness have occurred among the
student population, all members of the campus community are asked to be
attentive to this outbreak and to follow recommendations for containing it
that are outlined in the Web sites indicated at the end of this message. In
particular, we would like to remind all students to be vigilant about hand
washing, to not share eating utensils, and to refrain from group activities,
if they are ill. Since last Thursday, Jan. 22, the university’s Custodial and Special Event
Services staff have focused additional cleaning and sanitization efforts on
targeted buildings frequented by students. CUA’s
Dining Services has also implemented a series of precautionary sanitization
measures. Students who develop symptoms are advised to follow the suggestions on the
Student Health Services Web site at http://health.cua.edu/selfhelp/Nausea.cfm
or call Student Health Services at 202-319-5744 to make an appointment. If
you are experiencing extreme dizziness, lightheadedness, increased abdominal
pain, or blood in the vomit or stool, you may need to be seen in the
emergency room. Please call Student Health Services between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
before heading to the emergency room. When Student Health Services is closed,
an on-call physician is available for consultation by calling 202-269-7000.
Calling the after-hour physician is always recommended before heading
directly to the emergency room. The operator will take your information and
have the doctor call you. Additional Resources: www.cdc.gov - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm www.doh.dc.gov - http://www.doh.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1370,q,602626.asp |
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