On Sept. 9, an email from Andrew Wells, vice president of Student Affairs, and Marcy Youngdahl, director of integrated Counseling, Health and Wellness Services, was sent to all students warning them about a recent outbreak of norovirus at Trinity University.
Trinity Health Services, members of the Trinity University Management Team and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District conducted an investigation. However, they found no source of the norovirus outbreak.
Youngdahl explained the situation, writing in an email that Health Services’ investigation started on Sept. 4.
“[A] handful of students reported to Health Services or Residential Life with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain,” Youngdahl wrote in an email. “Health Services was made aware (either through appointments for care or information received via email/phone to report illness) of around 45 cases as of 9/20/24.”
While this may seem like a rapid escalation in case numbers, Youngdahl stated that new cases have been dwindling, with only four new cases reported last week. Youngdahl also discussed measures students could take to protect themselves from getting infected.
“All students should wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom, prior to entering a food-service establishment, and prior to eating. All students should avoid sharing food and drinks,” Youngdahl wrote.
Rico Contreras, senior mathematical finance major who contracted norovirus, said the experience was intense but short-lived. Contreras said he was unable to eat or drink, but symptoms only lasted for one day.
“After that 12 hour period … I stopped throwing up and I could eat and drink … I had a fever, like typical cold symptoms, but I would say [I was] OK,” Contreras said.
Rumors surrounding the origin of the norovirus outbreak have circulated despite no official cause having been reported. Contreras, for his part, said he could only think of one source regarding where he contracted the virus.
“[I’m] tempted to say Mabee,” Contreras said. “I couldn’t have really gotten it from any other source because I had Mabee before.”
Chase Taylor, resident district manager at Mabee Dining Hall, responded in an email to a request for comment.
“We do not know the origin of the norovirus outbreak. It’s important to note that students who live off campus and do not eat at Mabee Dining Hall also reported symptoms, suggesting that the source was not exclusive to the dining hall,” Taylor wrote.
Taylor also discussed protocols implemented at Mabee to avoid spreading norovirus: implementing self-service at food stations, regular sanitization of dining ware and additional hand sanitizer stations.
“The implementation of these protocols was a joint effort between Chartwells and Trinity University,” Taylor wrote. “Together, we acted swiftly to prioritize student safety and reduce the risk of further spread.”
Donna Escobar, Health Services nurse, explained what students should do if they have norovirus symptoms. She talked about how to ensure proper hydration despite norovirus symptoms.
“The main thing is, whether people are vomiting or diarrhea, they’re losing a lot of water really fast,” Escobar said. “Try to drink water … the best way to get your water in by mouth is to just take a ton of tiny, tiny sips, and you can use a straw so that you can use your tongue to quantify how much you’re getting.”
She also recommended a few different over-the-counter medications that can make fighting norovirus easier, including Emetrol for anti-nausea and Imodium for hypermotility. However, Escobar emphasized that avoiding contracting norovirus is best for all involved parties and how proper hygienic measures can decrease norovirus’ communicability.
“You definitely want to wipe all the common areas,” Escobar said. “The way that it’s transferred is when somebody’s been to the bathroom and you know, they’ve made a mess … but maybe didn’t clean up very well and the next person comes and touches things.”
If a person does contract norovirus, Escobar said the most important takeaway is to not go anywhere since it is extremely contagious.
