Ursinus Plague: More Illnesses Reported

COLLEGEVILLE, PA -- The unknown illness plaguing the quiet Collegeville campus of Ursinus College has sickened seven more students as of Friday morning, bringing the total number of afflicted close to 200.

Since the virus, which causes prolonged vomiting and has sent dozens to emergency rooms and urgent care centers, struck the campus on Tuesday afternoon, 192 students have reported symptoms.

A handful of faculty and staff have also become sick, the school said.

The school is still working with the Montgomery County Health Department to determine exactly what the illness is and how it’s being spread.

Investigators suspected some kind of norovirus, but nothing is known for sure.

Symptoms typically abate after 12-24 hours, the school said Friday, amending their previous estimation of 12-18 hours.

The school’s dining hall, Wismer Hall, has been reopened after being shutdown for a thorough cleaning. Several area businesses pitched in to help the school feed students during the downtime.

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Classes have been cancelled until Monday morning, and all events through the weekend have been cancelled. Usinus athletic events, including a gymnastics meet at Towson, a softball skills clinic, and a lacrosse scrimmage, have been cancelled.

The school said they were following CDC prevention guidelines, and are utilizing county health-department approved cleaning supplies and installing free-standing hand sanitizer stations around campus.