Norovirus Lockdown

Via an unnamed source: the Boston Globe reports that a norovirus outbreak has closed Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

About 100 students have fallen ill since Wednesday. The decision to close the school was made [Sunday] after the virus escalated amongst the students, said Dr. Marcia Testa-Simonson, vice chair of the Wellesley Board of Health.
[...] The school is closed and students who live on campus are asked to stay on campus. The school is aiming to reopen Wednesday, said Mary Suresh, director of the Wellesley Health Department.

Norovirus in Massachusetts

Via Universal Hub: the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services reports a rise in norovirus infections in the state.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has seen a significant number of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks across the state this winter, which are likely caused by norovirus infections. Noroviruses are a group of particularly strong viruses that cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in people who get infected.
Noroviruses are easily spread through food, by person-to-person contact, or though contact with contaminated surfaces such as countertops and door knobs. The virus is spread through an infected person’s stool or vomit -- contamination that can be spread further without careful attention to hand washing and environmental cleaning.

There's a list of tips for avoiding infection, but they may not go far enough. In particular, PlagueBlog recommends avoiding dirty diapers and oysters altogether. There is no safe handling procedure for such items.

Gastroenteritis in Boston

Via ProMED-mail: the Boston Public Health Commission advises Bostonians to wash their hands during the current outbreak of Norwalk-like illnesses.

In addition to the increases seen in emergency rooms, an outbreak of GI illness has occurred at Simmons College in Boston. As of December 15, eighty-one (81) students and staff have reported experiencing nausea, vomiting diarrhea and stomach cramps. Many of the affected individuals have reported being ill for approximately two days after symptoms began. The outbreak at the school appears to be on a downward trend with only a few new cases having been reported in the last several days. Early implementation of control measures including education on hand washing, availability and use of hand sanitizer, and increased frequency of restroom cleaning appears to have decreased the transmission of illness at Simmons.