UW-Madison students are experiencing symptoms of norovirus in areas outside Sellery Hall, including several houses from the Greek community.
University Health Services reported the first case of the virus in Sellery Hall Nov. 6. and directors said there have been approximately 70 students who experienced symptoms since then.
Christine Binkley, chapter president of the Delta Gamma sorority, first heard about the virus Nov. 8, the day before members of the sorority experienced symptoms. According to Binkley, 60 girls both in and out of the house have experienced what they thought were symptoms of the norovirus.
We have disinfected the house twice with bleach '¦ we have asked live-ins to either sign hotel rooms or stay with friends so they do not get infected,"" Binkley said, ""But now that the symptoms are dying down, we are just asking girls to wash their hands a lot.""'""
Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS, said specialists are encouraging UW-Madison students with the virus to stay in and to not go to class.
Directors are continuing to advise students to aggressively wash their hands to prevent contracting the virus.
""The thing that makes this a challenge is that it is very contagious and in particular when people are living in close contact it is easier for it to spread,"" Van Orman said.
According to University Housing Director Paul Evans, prevention information for the virus has been posted on the housing website to educate students.
""Housing has done a wonderful job and has been very aggressive dealing with the virus,"" Van Orman said. ""Information went up right away in all the halls and they immediately started very aggressive cleaning procedures.""
Van Orman said she is hopeful symptoms have begun to slow down.
""The numbers at this point are slowing down a bit, so we are very hopeful that we may be nearing the end of this but because the virus is so contagious sometimes it can be difficult to get rid of it,"" Van Orman said.
