Dozens of Rider Students Sickened, Virus Suspected

Update, Feb. 10: An additional 11 Rider students were sent to the hospital overnight for treatment of norovirus symptoms, according to a report by The Star-Ledger. 

Update: As of Thursday evening, Feb. 9, at least 58 Rider students have become ill in one way or another from the suspected norovirus, according to a report by The Rider News.

Dozens of students on Rider University’s campus in Lawrence Township fell ill last night (Wednesday, Feb. 8), with about 40 students requiring transport to area hospitals for treatment.

Symptoms including vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea and fever were reported on campus last night and many students, in emails sent to staff members of the campus newspaper, The Rider News, said they believed they had contracted some type of food poisoning.

“I am sending this email in regards to a semi-serious case of food poisoning/vomiting at several of the residence hall buildings. On second floor Switlik Hall, at least three of us have been vomiting and have come down with what is most likely a case of food poisoning,” one student wrote in an email sent about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday to the student newspaper’s managing editor.

But in an emergency notice posted on the Rider University website about 4 a.m. today, university officials said norovirus is the suspected cause of the gastrointestinal problems and other symptoms the students experienced.

A similar outbreak has taken place on the Princeton University campus, as reported by the Daily Princetonian.

“Norovirus illness is usually not serious. Most people get better in one to two days. People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin feeling sick until at least three days after they recover,” Rider officials said in the emergency notice.

Found in the vomit and stool of infected persons, the virus can be spread by eating or drinking contaminated foods, touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth, or by having direct contact with an infected person, according to the university emergency notice.

Rider officials said they are conferring with Princeton University to “coordinating treatment information” and that Rider’s food service vendor, Aramark, and custodial service, UNICCO, “are taking the necessary precautions, particularly cleaning all residence hall bathrooms and other areas.” 

“It was a violent onset of illness – stomach issues, diarrhea, vomiting," Lawrence Township Police Chief Daniel Posluszny said this morning. "The [township] health department is working with Rider and the Mercer County epidemiologist to identify what occurred. There’s the possibility it’s norovirus but there’s no conclusive evidence yet. They’re trying to identify the source right now. They’re going to be looking at everything, working in conjunction with Rider and Mercer County [Division of Public Health].”

Lawrence Township police and emergency medical service personnel started responding to the university about 11 p.m. Wednesday for a handful of ill students in the Gee and Switlik residence halls. It quickly became clear, however, that dozens of students in residence halls across campus were ill and experiencing similar symptoms.

Additional ambulances from Ewing, Pennington and Princeton and paramedics from Capital Health System were summoned to campus. Lawrence Township EMS Chief Chrissie Vincent and Lawrence Township Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Oakley responded to the campus to take charge of the emergency response. Carol Chamberlain, head of the Lawrence Township Health Department, was also alerted.

Some students were treated on scene, while others were transported to area hospitals, including Capital Health Regional Medical Center and St Francis Medical Center in Trenton, Capital Health System's new hospital in Hopewell, University Medical Center at Princeton and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton.

Bed availability at those hospitals was checked several times throughout the night and ambulances were directed to drop off sick students at different hospitals so as to not overwhelm one particular facility.

Many ambulances made multiple trips to the hospitals, each time usually with multiple patients.

In the 4 a.m. emergency notice, Rider officials said some students had already been “discharged from the hospital and returned to campus.”

No classes or campus events have been cancelled.

The full text of Rider’s emergency notice can be found below:

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Suspected Outbreak of Norovirus on Rider’s Lawrence Campus

What occurred

Late last evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, Rider received reports of students experiencing symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. Approximately 40 students were transported last night to area hospitals for treatment. Residence Life and Public Safety staff worked with local health authorities and EMTs throughout the night to identify ill students in the residence halls and treat them either on site or send them to area hospitals, with whom we are continuing to work. Some of these students have already been discharged from the hospital and returned to campus.

Norovirus suspected

Authorities suspect that the cause of the illness is the norovirus, an outbreak of which began a week ago and is continuing at Princeton University. We are coordinating treatment information with that university. We have also informed neighboring institutions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of the norovirus infection usually include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, and stomach cramping.  Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and general sense of fatigue.  Norovirus illness is usually not serious. Most people get better in one to two days. People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin feeling sick until at least three days after they recover. For further information, contact the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm

The virus is found in the vomit and stool of infected people. You can get it by:

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus (someone gets stool or vomit on their hands, then touches food or drink).
• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth.
• Having direct contact with a person who is infected with norovirus (for example, when caring for someone with norovirus or sharing foods or eating utensils with them).

What Rider is doing

Aramark, our food service, and UNICCO, our custodial service, are taking the necessary precautions, particularly cleaning all residence hall bathrooms and other areas.  The Switlik main entrance is currently being used as the first point of contact for ill students.  As of the morning, Conover lounge will be used for this purpose going forward.  It will also serve as a temporary infirmary staffed by Health Center personnel.

Classes and events will continue as scheduled. Students are encouraged to contact their professors as they are feeling better to make up any necessary work.

We will continue to keep our University community informed as further information becomes available via our website.

If you are feeling ill or have questions

Students who are feeling ill should call Public Safety immediately at ext. 5029 or 609-896-5029.  They will be directed to Conover lounge.  Employees who are feeling ill should remain home.

Students with any questions should contact the Dean of Students office at 609-896-5101.

How to prevent the spread of norovirus

To avoid further spread of the virus, wash your hands frequently and thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer.  Do not share drinks, food or eating utensils or cups.  Use disposable cups and water bottles.