Hamilton College Students Sickened By ‘Very Contagious’ Virus

Students at Hamilton College in Clinton have been sickened by a "very contagious" virus that has been detected on campus.

More than 50 Hamilton College students have been affected by a campus-wide outbreak of norovirus, according to a statement from college officials. Norovirus "is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. You can get it from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed. This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up", according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hamilton College officials are cleaning campus facilities in an effort to stem the spread of the disease around campus. Officials also encourage students and faculty to take steps to prevent the spread by thoroughly washing their hands and staying hydrated. They also encourage any student or staff member to stay home if they feel unwell, and for two days after symptoms have passed.

There do not appear to be any reports of norovirus spreading to the Clinton community, in spite of Hamilton students frequenting businesses throughout the village, but this is a good reminder for people to keep washing your hands!

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