Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m.

Saturday Afternoon, March 28

Babson College will officially close its campus at 5 pm, Saturday, March 28, 2009 because of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, which is likely caused by the norovirus. This decision was made by the College in consultation and partnership with the Wellesley Board of Health as a prudent measure to contain the spread of the illness. All classes, meetings, athletic events, and similar events are cancelled until Wednesday morning, April 1, 2009. All non-essential personnel should not report to campus.

All classes, events and activities will be suspended until Wednesday morning. Students are asked to remain on campus to limit the spread of the virus. The College has active measures in place to meet daily needs and to respond to health issues. Students are asked to avoid congregating and/or engaging in group activities that create opportunities for the virus to spread.

Since Wednesday, March 25th, more than 100 Babson students and staff have reported symptoms associated with norovirus to Babson Health Services such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with the vast majority of cases occurring in the last 24 hours.

Babson Health Services has extended its hours of operation so students may seek care if needed. Babson Public Safety is available to assist our students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The College is working with area hospitals to assist students who might need additional care for their symptoms. Students have received information about how to best prevent the spread of the virus and care for themselves should they get ill.

Babson Facilities staff will continue its enhanced regimen of sanitizing all campus facilities that it began earlier this week. Each student room has also been supplied with appropriate cleaning supplies for their use.

Based on a routine health inspection which was conducted by the Wellesley Health Department on Wednesday, there is no indication that this illness is food-related. Students who have reported illness symptoms have no common dining pattern, with some not having eaten on campus. 

In addressing this situation, Babson has partnered with the Wellesley Board of Health, who, in turn, has consulted with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) about the situation on our campus. Regular consultation with, and involvement of, the government health officials at the local and state level will continue.

Babson is taking these proactive steps because the health and well-being of members of the Babson community is our top priority.

The following is the Dining Service schedule through Tuesday night:

This web page (www.babson.edu/healthadvisory) will be updated to keep the community informed.

Persons with questions or concerns regarding this advisory are asked to send an e-mail to healthadvisory@babson.edu or to call the following numbers:

781-239-4438 or 781-239-4236

If you are currently experiencing symptoms or have already recovered, please log this information here

Norovirus Information

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), there has seen a significant number of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks across the state in recent months, which are likely caused by norovirus infections. Additional information on norovirus in Massachusetts is available from the Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

The following information on noroviruses comes from the EOHHS:

Noroviruses are a group of particularly strong viruses that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in people who get infected.

Noroviruses are easily spread through food, by person-to-person contact, or though contact with contaminated surfaces such as countertops and door knobs. The virus is spread through an infected person's stool or vomit - contamination that can be spread further without careful attention to hand washing and environmental cleaning. Illnesses related to norovirus infection have an incubation period (time from exposure to illness) of about 12 to 48 hours and the signs and symptoms can last several days. For most people, norovirus is a very unpleasant short-term illness, but it can be more serious for infants and children, elderly individuals and people with compromised immune systems.

Everyone can reduce their chances of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these simple tips:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
  
  
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
  
  
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
  
  
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
  
  
• Flush or any vomit or stool down the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
  
  
• Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.
  

For more information on norovirus visit www.mass.gov/dph and go to the "Health Topics A-Z" link. The Department has also posted a podcast about norovirus at its blog Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health, http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us.