NAU sanitizing areas affected by virus: reports of symptoms decrease

On July 21, NAU reported an outbreak of what appeared to be a norovirus among 59 teens and four camp staff in a wrestling camp housed in Gabaldon Hall. Subsequent lab results indicated the norovirus. Since July 24, the number of incidents being reported dropped significantly, largely due to the diligent efforts to contain the outbreak. The number of suspected cases peaked at about 115.

Other than camp cancellations, all other university operations are proceeding as normal.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What is norovirus?
2. Is the campus safe?
3. What has NAU done to manage the outbreak?
4. How do I know if I have norovirus?
5. How can I keep from getting norovirus?
6. Why was this outbreak so prevalent among the group of wrestlers?
7. Did anyone contract the virus besides some of the wrestlers?
8. I had the virus but am feeling better. When is it safe to return to work?
9. Who gets norovirus infection?
10. How long are people contagious?
11. What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?
12. I have a weak immune system to begin with. Is it safe for me to report to work on the NAU campus?
13. Why did NAU cancel the summer camps but not summer school?
14. Will the start of the fall semester be affected?
15. What impact will the camp cancellations have on NAU?

1. What is norovirus?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the "stomach flu" in people. The symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. It's critical to prevent dehydration, which is the most serious health effect of these symptoms.

The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about one or two days, but carriers can spread the virus for up to 14 days after symptoms disappear.

Noroviruses are most commonly spread by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing that hand in your mouth or by having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with the illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

This highly contagious virus is a common illness and not life threatening. Many people have probably had it without it being diagnosed by its name.

The outbreak on campus is suspected to have been transmitted by person to person contact originating in the youth wrestling camp. There are no indications it was food related.

2. Is the campus safe?

"The campus is absolutely safe," said Barbara Worgess, director of the Coconino County Health Department. "The university has taken all the proper steps to contain and sanitize areas affected."

This is not to say that people can't still get sick. People do get sick, and this kind of virus is quite common. The outbreak was newsworthy because there was a high concentration of it in one area.

3. What has NAU done to manage the outbreak?

When the outbreak was first reported, the university and the Coconino County Health Department worked closely with the all the camps to manage the outbreak. The Coconino County Health Department instructed camp directors to separate sick campers from well campers. The health department also instructed that all camp participants in Gabaldon Hall be separated from other campers on campus.

NAU cleaning crews have disinfected facilities across campus that may have been used by sick campers. Gabaldon Hall, the Skydome and South Dining are being disinfected. Mountain View Hall and McConnell Hall will be disinfected. The Recreation Center and the Fieldhouse are being disinfected nearly hourly. Even though there have been no reported incidents at the Cline Library, the university elected to disinfect it as a precaution.

Capital Assets and Services also is supplementing our own cleaning crews by contracting with two outside cleaning businesses.

Campers and NAU employees were also informed of the need to practice good hygiene.

Additionally, because the ease of spreading this disease can make it difficult to contain, NAU has cancelled the remaining summer camps scheduled to take place on its campus.

The university provided information on norovirus to all the campers as they checked out and mailed information to the directors of the camps that had already ended.

4. How do I know if I have norovirus?

A norovirus diagnosis can only be attained through lab analysis, and your doctor may want to submit a stool sample for lab testing to confirm norovirus illness.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of norovirus, please contact your local health department and, if you feel urgently ill, please go to Flagstaff Medical Center. The number for the Coconino County Health Department is (928) 522-7920.

5. How can I keep from getting norovirus?

You can reduce your chance of getting sick by following these preventative steps:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet visits and changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.
• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a chlorine bleach-based household cleanser (10-percent bleach).
• Immediately remove and wash dishes, clothing or linen that may be contaminated with virus, especially after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
• Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is clean.
• Avoid physical contact with people who have norovirus.

Additional information on norovirus can be found at the Centers for Disease Control web site.

6. Why was this outbreak so prevalent among the group of wrestlers?

Wrestling is a high-contact sport, so exposure to a disease transmitted through person-to-person contact is more likely.

7. Did anyone contract the virus besides some of the wrestlers?

The outbreak was most prevalent among the youth wrestlers; however, there were reports of norovirus-like symptoms among three of the 16 other youth camps.

We also had reports of symptoms from about 10 NAU staff members and five students. It remains to be determined whether any of these reported cases are directly related to the norovirus outbreak. The Coconino County Health Department continues to investigate the symptoms reported and is tracking whether these individuals had any direct contact with people presumed to have been exposed to the disease.

8. I had the virus but am feeling better. When is it safe to return to work?

You can return to work after your symptoms go away, but be sure to practice proper hygiene—especially washing hands—since you might still be contagious. In most cases, the virus will run its course in 24 to 48 hours.

9. Who gets norovirus infection?

Anyone can become infected with these viruses. There are many different strains of norovirus, which makes it difficult for a person's body to develop long-lasting immunity. Therefore, norovirus illness can recur throughout a person's lifetime. In addition, because of differences in genetic factors, some people are more likely to become infected and develop more severe illness than others.

10. How long are people contagious?

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least three days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as two weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is particularly important for people to use good hand-washing and other hygienic practices after they have recently recovered from norovirus illness.

11. What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?

Currently, there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. This is because antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses.

Norovirus illness is usually brief in healthy individuals. When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Dehydration among young children, the elderly and the sick can be common, and it is the most serious health effect that can result from norovirus infection. By drinking oral rehydration fluids, juice or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated. Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during this illness.

12. I have a weak immune system to begin with. Is it safe for me to report to work on the NAU campus?

Employees with health concerns not related to a norovirus will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You should also consult your health care provider about your situation.

13. Why did NAU cancel the summer camps but not summer school?

The outbreak was concentrated among the summer camp participants. Their activities, including close physical contact, and living and eating together, contributed to the spread of the disease. Therefore, our faculty, staff and students were not at the same level of risk.

Those who were working with camp or conference participants, and even those who weren't, have been advised about steps they can take to minimize the risk.

14. Will the start of the fall semester be affected?

No. In fact, we have targeted Aug. 5 for complete disinfection, since some students are expected to start returning to campus Aug. 10.

15. What impact will the camp cancellations have on NAU?

We know that the impact will be substantial—more than $400,000 from the Cardinals move alone—but numbers related to individual summer camps aren't known yet. We also will need to factor in the costs of all the efforts related to responding to the incident, containment and disinfecting those portions of campus exposed—or potentially exposed—to the norovirus.

No doubt there are significant costs associated with ensuring an immediate response in a situation like this, but the health of our campus—and of visitors to our campus—was, and is, our first priority.