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COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania college has closed its cafeterias and snack bar after 100 students reported symptoms of a stomach illness.
Ursinus College said the students had reported symptoms such as vomiting and stomach pain by Wednesday afternoon and 22 of them had sought treatment at local hospitals or urgent care centers.
A college spokeswoman said in a statement Wednesday that officials are working with Montgomery County health authorities to try to determine whether the ailment is food-borne or transmitted from person to person. Officials noted that it is common for gastrointestinal illnesses such as Norovirus to circulate in colleges and long-term care facilities at this time of year.
"Ursinus' first priority is the health and well-being of our students," President Brock Blomberg said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Health and follow their recommendations."
The college said health officials estimate it could take a few days before the cause of the outbreak has been determined. During that time dining areas will undergo "a complete cleaning and sanitization," the college said.
Ursinus has partnered with Wawa, Wegman's and local pizza shops and a bakery to provide food while the cafeterias are closed.
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