Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., has cancelled classes and closed all public buildings while cleaning staff disinfect the school in response to an outbreak that has caused diarrhea and vomiting among at least 100 students.

Public health officials asked the university to close its campus on Friday, suggesting that a fast-moving, Norwalk-type virus is likely to blame for the illness. It has swept through eight of 11 university dorms on campus and has hit faculty and staff.

It is believed the gastrointestinal illness may have spread through students in the university residences, where they live in close quarters and share bathrooms.
(CBC)

The virus likely spread through shared washrooms in residence halls and cafeteria salad bars.

Student Fraser Harland was hit hard by the stomach bug on Thursday.

"I went to bed at one in the morning and I was woken up at two with a very upset stomach. I just started vomiting and it was like that for the rest of that night, basically on the hour every hour. "

Students stroll through the Mount Allison University campus, which closed Friday because of a viral outbreak.
(CBC)

All classes and extracurricular activities are cancelled until Monday. The dining hall, all academic buildings, residences and the library will remain open. Community groups and members of the public are asked to stay off the campus.

Split bathroom use

The university has stopped short of quarantining sick students, but has split up residence bathrooms so healthy students don't have to share sinks and counters with those who are infected.

Health Department spokesman Denis Allard says nobody knows where the virus originated.

"It's really hard to know where it was introduced from. Whether it was introduced by a student back from a long weekend or by a member of the staff, it's difficult to know at this point in the investigation."

A letter to the public from Stephen McClatchie, Mount Allison's vice-president, academic and research, suggests students began getting sick on Thursday. He says some were treated at Sackville Memorial Hospital, while others remained in their rooms.

McLatchie says the school administration invited public health officials to investigate as soon as students began getting sick.

"We are continuing to care for students, providing as much information as we can to them and to their parents – about how to prevent further spread of the stomach flu-like symptoms," he said.

Norwalk, which can hit cruise ships and other places where people live in close quarters, lasts about 24 to 48 hours and has no serious lingering effects.

Students got sick first

Students living in residence were the first to realize something was wrong earlier this week.

"There's a lot of people who have gotten sick," said first-year student Amanda Hughes.

"I know 30 people at Windsor [Hall] are sick from it, and a couple of kids from our house have been in the hospital."

Another student, Mathew Moreau, says many students suspected food poisoning.

"There's been a lot of rumours now. The whole meal hall is deserted because no one exactly [knows] what is going on, so everyone is just dodging it at the moment," Moreau said. "I went to lunch today and there was barely anyone there."

Mount Allison spokeswoman Sheila Blagrave says tests have found nothing wrong with the food services. She says the university has e-mailed students with advice on avoiding infection through handwashing and cleanliness, and where to go for help if they get sick.

Public health staff identified a gastrointestinal virus through samples taken from students and staff. Lab results to determine the type of virus should be available by Monday.