More than 100 students have been sickened this week with a gastrointestinal infection at a Pennsylvania university.
As of Thursday morning, eight students from East Stroudsburg University had been admitted to Pocono Medical Center for treatment after they suffered severe stomach pains, the university said on Friday. Other infected students and personnel have been instructed to isolate themselves either in their resident dorms or at home until the symptoms pass, which should be within five days.
In the past four days, around 104 students at the state-owned university in the Poconos have visited the hospital or a campus health center, officials said. Of that total, about 72 students reported the sickness as of Thursday night, CBS Philly reported.
With symptoms being reported as vomiting and diarrhea, doctors have concluded the illness to be consistent with the stomach flu or norovirus.
The victims have been described to include students who live on campus, commuters and even University staff members.
With the university working closely with the state health department, health officials have been interviewing students to determine the exact cause of the illness.
Even though the outbreak doesn't appear to be food-related, the university has closed off self-serve dining stations and disinfected the dining hall, according to Fox43.
Other precaution at ESU include common areas continually being sanitized, hand sanitizers being put in place across campus, availability of Clorox wipes in residence halls to assist students in keeping room and personal areas clean, and wellness bags with Gatorade, water, chicken broth and saltines being delivered at both dining and residence halls.
But as of Friday morning, doctors had yet to determine a conclusive cause.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is aware of a number of individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illnesses at the university and is also investigating the situation, the Associated Press reported.
