This notification is to inform you of a public health issue that has occurred on campus. The campus is experiencing a norovirus outbreak among youth campers renting facilities from the university.

The outbreak began on July 21, 2005, with fifty-nine teenagers and four staff in a youth wrestling camp displaying flu-like symptoms. By July 22 the number of people affected increased to approximately 100. To our knowledge, only six NAU employees who were in direct contact with the ill campers have become sick.

The identified cases have thus far been predominantly in individuals attending the wrestling camp and residing in Gabaldon Hall. It is very unlikely that you have been exposed and will become ill. However, we want you to be aware of the symptoms and the preventative measures you can take to avoid becoming ill.

Please review the attached Norovirus Information Sheet. The sheet includes prevention information and the Centers for Disease Control web site, which includes additional pertinent information.

The university and the county have instituted the necessary precautions to keep the outbreak from spreading further, and the numbers of new cases are diminishing. All affected areas have been sanitized, and all incoming summer conferences have been cancelled. The university will continue to take necessary precautions to protect the students attending classes and the employees working on campus.

If you have additional questions, you may contact the County Health Department at (928) 522-7814 or the Office of Student Life at (928) 523-5181. The Office of Student Life will be answering this line between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (MST) Sunday, July 24, and between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (MST) beginning Monday, July 25.