Update on Health Alert (Sunday, March 6)

Paul J. McLoughlin II, dean of students, sent the message below to students and faculty to on Sunday, March 6. It was also sent to parents.

Dear Students,

As Dr. Goldstein, the College’s director of health services, wrote to you yesterday, we have seen an increase in the number of students who have become ill with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains. We believe this is the result of an outbreak of an extremely contagious stomach virus that has impacted Lafayette as well as other area colleges.

Student health remains our focus as we address both the individual and community impact of this illness. We are writing to address questions we have received regarding the College’s response and to provide you with information regarding academic classes and dining services.

Response to Date

First, let me address our response to date: Members of the College’s Incident Action Group worked quickly to address the situation starting Friday evening. Facilities Operations staff worked throughout the day yesterday to conduct a thorough cleaning of common bathroom facilities as well as doorknobs and other high contact areas such as keyboards. They will continue to ensure a high standard of cleaning practices using effective products to kill the virus that would otherwise live on those surfaces for several hours. The Health Center was open this weekend and treated a number of students with rehydration therapy.

Class Attendance and Excused Absences

We are monitoring the situation carefully and at this time do not feel that cancelling classes is justified based on the number of students who have reported illness to the Bailey Health Center and to local health facilities. Classes will remain in session. Students who are experiencing symptoms should not attend class until they are symptom-free. Students who have fallen ill do not need a Dean’s Excuse and should not call the Health Center or the Advising Programs Office to request one. Students should contact their faculty member to report their absence and faculty members have been asked to excuse students this week if they are sick and/or to make accommodations when possible.

Dining Services

Dining Services will make to-go containers available in both Marquis and Upper dining halls in addition to Lower, Gilbert’s, Simon’s, and Skillman Café that already provide food in portable containers. Students may pick up a meal to go for themselves or a friend using their own or another student’s ID (with their permission). Bottled water will be included in this meal exchange in addition to disposable cups that are already provided as part of our to-go program.

Dining Services staff have also moved to served lines instead of self-serve stations to minimize use of shared serving utensils in all dining halls. We will continue with this style of service until further notice.

What You Can Do

People become infected by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with the virus, touching surfaces that have the virus, or having direct contact with an infected person. As mentioned, this infection can cause serious symptoms. Intractable vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. There is no specific treatment for the virus. Most people feel better in a couple of days. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink enough liquids to replace the fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. In some instances, it may be necessary to replace fluids intravenously and take medication to alleviate the nausea.

We encourage you to use disposable germicidal wipes to clean personal areas, including counters, door knobs, keyboards, handles, bathrooms and spaces that can harbor germs.

In addition, please adhere to the following recommendations:

1.  If you experience any of the symptoms described above, even if they seem mild, do not attend class or go to work for 48 hours.
2.  If you are feeling ill, avoid close contact with others and do not attend class, social events, athletic practices, or meetings.
3.  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before preparing food for others, before eating, after using the bathroom, or after using exercise equipment.
4.  After recovery from the illness, wash your linens and clothing thoroughly and avoid contaminating surfaces with items that have been soiled.
5.  If you reside in a suite or off-campus property with a private bathroom, we will make germicidal cleaning agents available starting tomorrow within your residence halls (please contact the custodian in your residence hall or Residence Life) and ask that you clean these bathrooms thoroughly. If someone in your suite has become ill, we also encourage you to thoroughly clean doorknobs, keyboards, etc.

The College will continue to monitor the situation. The Health Center will be open everyday this week (hours at: http://healthcenter.lafayette.edu/hours/ ). We will remain in close contact with local health resources and provide updated information should the situation or recommendations change.

Together, we can work to help ensure a healthy environment by practicing behaviors that prevent the spread of infection.

Sincerely,
Dean McLoughlin