More Wingate students report symptoms similar to norovirus

Channel 9 has learned that more students at Wingate University are reporting symptoms similar to those that sickened dozens of students last week.

In an email to students and staff, the school said additional students reported to the health center with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.

The health center is encouraging students to wash their hands and stay at home if they're sick and the school is waiting for test results from last week to determine what caused the illnesses.

The university told Channel 9 last week that it took additional steps to clean bathrooms, residence halls and other campus buildings. Officials have not said if the latest reports of illness were norovirus.

The Centers for Disease Control says the norovirus can spread quickly in closed places, like daycares and schools. Most outbreaks happen between November and April. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. It is highly contagious.

The CDC recommends the following:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is not proven to be effective at eliminating the norovirus.
• Clean surfaces and wash laundry.
• When you're sick, don't prepare food or care for others.

The health department has visited campus several times to check facilities and have found no violations.

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