Students, Wash Your Hands!

Colleges & Universities University of Southern California
1

<p>Yikes, it’s been a rough year for USC’s PR department. Here is the latest Trojans Alert (which I actually got this time!)</p>

<p>October 4, 2008</p>

<p>Campus Notification: Contagious Gastrointestinal Virus</p>

<p>At least 30 USC students living in or near the University Park Campus have been transported in the last day to medical facilities exhibiting symptoms of a contagious, but self-limiting, virus.</p>

<p>The sickness is suspected to be a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus. This virus is not usually serious, but can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach-cramping. The sickness usually has an incubation period of 24- to 48 hours, but may be as short as 12 hours.</p>

<p>In most people, the illness is self-limiting, usually lasting one- to two days. Although we are not recommending a full-scale quarantine, those students who feel sick, are vomiting, and cannot hold foods and liquids down are asked to report to the USC University Park Student Health Center, which is open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The facility is also open Wednesday through Friday.</p>

<p>Those who need advice or are feeling especially sick or concerned should notify a Resident Assistant, the Department of Public Safety, or other USC official offices. Students can also call the USC Health Center advice nurse 24 hours a day at: 213-740-9355.</p>

<p>Otherwise, students who do not feel well are asked stay at home, take plenty of fluids, and not socialize until they are feeling better. This is especially important considering Saturday’s football game: we would rather you watch it on television than chance infecting your fellow students.</p>

<p>The suspected virus can be contagious for several days after a person recovers; therefore we asking everyone to please frequently wash your hands, especially after eating, preparing food, or using the restroom.</p>

<p>Thank you for your assistance.</p>

<p>Larwrence Neinstein, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics and Medicine,
Executive Director, University Park Health Center</p>

<p>Two sick in my hall so far. Yay.</p>

2

<p>My daughter came home last night. Mom’s friend drove her home at 3:00 A.M.</p>

3

<p>Oh, columbia, I’m so sorry for your daughter! At least she’ll be home to recover.</p>

4

<p>FauxNom, she was not sick and neither was her friend. Her mom’s friend came and took both of them home so that they don’t come into contact with the rest of the hall. Apparently, 2 boys were throwing up, one kid in her group had diarrhea and already went home. I did not know she was coming home when I last talked to her. So it was a surprise.</p>

5

<p>I think that Georgetown is experiencing the same problem.</p>

<p>[Georgetown</a> University Responds to Norovirus](<a href=“Safety & Emergency Preparedness - Georgetown University”>Safety & Emergency Preparedness - Georgetown University)</p>

<p>From GU President: “Wash your hands regularly.”</p>

6

<p>They seem to be responding pretty well- I just watched 10 guys from housing come in with disinfectant spray going through every door handle and cleaning up the bathrooms. All wearing masks :slight_smile: Cheerful stuff. My current count in four on the floor. Hopefully, no more.</p>

7

<p>Does the outbreak appear to be centered around one dorm?</p>

8

<p>That’s good to know Nikara. Really hope you stay ok.</p>

<p>Nikara, which dorm are you in? I do know of a case in A/H and one in New/North. Do you know if housing is responding this way in all dorms/residences? Any word if in fact this is a norovirus?</p>

9

<p>this poor girl i talked to had to take care of seven vomiting people all last night…
This is really scaring me</p>

10

<p>Yeah, it’s really scary, especially because nobody really has any idea what’s going on. I called the 24 hour nurse and she said that it can present itself in many forms; if you are vomiting what looks like coffee grounds (or blood) then you should see the nurse, if you are excreting what looks like tar then go see the nurse, if you experience cramping pain for more than 2 hours then go see the nurse, etc…</p>

<p>Also, the nurse told us to eat bland foods and to stay away from hard to digest fatty foods, so my roommate and I were wondering where the heck do we eat? With EVK shut down, theres only either the Lot, Parkside, or sandwiches from Tro Gro. Unfortunately theres nothing really healthy in the Lot and stuff at Parkside is generally rich, which leaves very limited options.</p>

<p>Furthermore, even if they scrub down everything, and we all wash our hands frequently, it may not do very much good because we’re all in such close proximity ALL of the time. Not to mention the rooms have little to no ventilation and so everything in the dorms just spreads like none other.</p>

<p>They also don’t know if it’s airborne, or if it spreads through liquids, or what, but they highly recommended to my roommate and me to stay away from large crowds aka the football game. Most people in my dorm are still going to the game, and this one girl who threw up is going to go, which I personally find ridiculous.</p>

<p>This just really is timed badly, considering how this is Midterm time and everybody has midterms next week, or the week after; seriously, nobody can afford to get sick right now… :/</p>

11

<p>Well that’d explain why EVK was closed when I tried to go last night. But why keep Parkside open if you’re going to close EVK? Don’t just as many people go through Parkside?</p>

<p>But I haven’t seen any of the whole vomiting thing yet, but maybe it’s just a matter of time?</p>

<p>Oh well, still debating if I want to risk going to the game…</p>

12

<p>There are at least 75 cases in North Area (New/ North, Birnkrant) and South Area (Marks Hall, Trojan Hall, Marks Tower, Pardee Tower). The reason that EVK is closed is that there is some suspicion that is where the illness started- possibly a sick student went and got others sick there. </p>

<p>I currently have 7 sick students. 3 newly sick, the other four from earlier, who are doing better now. </p>

<p>I would definitely recommend not going to the game today (as a student, others should be fine). </p>

<p>I believe they are cleaning up all freshman dorms.</p>

13

<p>Hm, yeah, maybe I would be best skipping this one…plus it IS really cold outside anyways, just imagine what it’ll be later on.</p>

<p>And wow, I wasn’t aware that there were so many people that were sick. I’m in New/North and my area seems ok, but I guess I should be careful.</p>

14

<p>yeah i think it may have been started by some EVK thing, because i’ve heard of like only one parkside story…however, it unfortunately isn’t simple food poisoning for sure because more and more people keep getting sick after EVK was shut down, and it’s been lasting longer than a few hours.
My heart goes out to all of those students. I’m so nervous about going to class on monday and tuesday… =( =(</p>

15

<p>My daughter said that EVK is open (now the name means “Evil Virus Kitchen”) but she plans to avoid it for a while until things settle down. It gave her a good excuse to go off campus for dinner last night.</p>

16

<p>Things seem to be calming down, at least in my hall. My current count is eleven. I’ll be at EVK tomorrow, but I’m not planning on going today. I love the new nickname!</p>

17

<p>Hi Nikara, I don’t imagine you thought you were signing up for this when you became an RA! Good luck with the rest of your students!</p>

18

<p>[At</a> least 130 USC students treated for intestinal virus - 10/05/08 - Los Angeles-Southern California-LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - abc7.com](<a href=“http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6433197]At”>http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6433197)</p>

<p>I suppose 130 is the new count</p>

19

<p>Latest Trojans Alert- Looks like it is norovirus:</p>

<p>October 5, 2008</p>

<p>To: The USC Community
Fr: Michael Jackson, Vice President, Student Affairs
Todd Dickey, Senior Vice President, Administration</p>

<p>Re: Update: Contagious Gastrointestinal Virus</p>

<p>As you may know, our campus has been affected by a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus. Here is an update on what we know:</p>

<p>About 130 USC students have fallen sick with a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus.</p>

<p>In the past two days, the students have arrived at on- and off-campus medical facilities exhibiting symptoms of a contagious, but self-limiting, virus: with vomiting, diarrhea and stomach-cramping.</p>

<p>USC is offering medical aid to those students who need it through the University Health Center and LA emergency responders.</p>

<p>We are urging students who are not feeling well – or who have had contact with other sick students – to avoid socializing and take every precaution to reduce the chance of infecting their fellow students.</p>

<p>The suspected virus can be contagious for several days after a person recovers; therefore the University is asking everyone in the USC community to frequently wash hands, especially after eating, preparing food, or using the restroom.</p>

<p>Symptoms of the virus are short lived, lasting 1-2 days, and most cases can be managed with rest and fluids. In some cases dehydration may need to be treated by a doctor.</p>

<p>Campus offices and classes will continue to operate as usual, however we are asking USC faculty and staff to take reasonable precautions to help contain spread of the virus. If you are not feeling well, call your supervisor and request to take a sick day. If you fall ill at work, please notify your supervisor and then contact your usual health care provider. In an emergency, dial 911.</p>

<p>The entire campus community – students, faculty, and staff – are asked to take extra hygiene precautions: wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer gels or wipes, refrain from sharing work stations, food, and beverages.</p>

<p>Please note that those staff who are dealing in a very direct way with sick students will take additional protections to ensure their safety, including, in some cases, use of masks and gloves.</p>

<p>Because of the need to sanitize any affected areas, please notify custodial staff immediately if there are areas in USC facilities that need cleaning.</p>

<p>The housing office will, as possible, make available hand purifier gels and sanitary wipes.</p>

<p>Student Residence Update</p>

<p>Residence Halls: all common areas and restrooms in residence halls on campus have been thoroughly cleaned, and staff will intensify cleaning as needed. Students needing maintenance in their facility are asked to phone: 213-740-4646 [24 hour service].</p>

<p>All campus hospitality facilities have been cleaned top to bottom, and hospitality will conduct multiple cleanings daily.</p>

<p>The administration is providing additional sanitation measures to university-owned housing and Greek Row. In addition, cleaning supplies will be made available to students living in non-university housing. Students needing supplies are asked to contact the housing office.</p>

<p>Health Precautions</p>

<p>If you are ill:
• Drink plenty of clear liquids to stay hydrated.
• Do not prepare food for others. Make sure to wash your hands
before and during preparation of your own meals.
• Stay home and recover to avoid passing the illness to others.</p>

<p>If you need special assistance, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 213-740- 4321 or call 911.</p>

<p>Tips for staying healthy include:
• If you are healthy, avoid contact with sick people.
• The most important tool against illness is good hand-washing.
Wash your hands often, especially before and during meal preparation,
and after using the restroom.</p>

<p>USC is working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to contain and prevent the further spread of this illness. For more information on how to prevent illness and stay healthy, please visit the Public Health website at:
<a href=“http://www.lapublichealth.org/acd/docs/NorovirusFactSheet_06.pdf[/url]”>http://www.lapublichealth.org/acd/docs/NorovirusFactSheet_06.pdf&lt;/a&gt; <a href=“http://www.lapublichealth.org/acd/docs/NorovirusFactSheet_06.pdf”>http://www.lapublichealth.org/acd/docs/NorovirusFactSheet_06.pdf&lt;/a&gt; .</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>Sent by Carey Drayton to Students (all), Faculty, Staff, Alumni , Parents, Visitors (e-mail accounts) through USC Trojans Alert</p>

<p>You received this message because you registered on USC Trojans Alert. To update your account go to <a href=“https://trojansalert.usc.edu/myhome.php[/url]”>https://trojansalert.usc.edu/myhome.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Argh, I’m not getting any of these alerts!</p>

<p>Edit: Okay, I figured out what’s up. Over the summer, I got 30+ texts in one day about strong winds, so I ended up leaving all of the groups on TrojansAlert. I thought I would still get important alerts (the last one I got was about the smashed DPS window), but I guess not. So if anyone signed up but isn’t getting alerts, I suggest logging on to the website (<a href=“https://trojansalert.usc.edu/myhome.php[/url]”>https://trojansalert.usc.edu/myhome.php&lt;/a&gt;) and joining the groups for UPC/Students. And make sure to send a test message to see if it’s working.</p>