FWD: Norovirus Prevention and Awareness

Dear Parents and Families,

The following message about the norovirus was shared with students today.

Best,

Carole McFall
Family Engagement, AS&E
carole.mcfall@tufts.edu
Direct: 617-627-2797

Dear Tufts community members,

We write to inform you that increased levels of norovirus are circulating in Massachusetts.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Someone can get norovirus via direct contact with a person who has it, such as by sharing food or drinks or touching contaminated surfaces. People can still spread norovirus for 2 weeks or more after they feel better—proper scrupulous hand hygiene is essential.

Symptoms of norovirus usually last 1-3 days, and most people recover quickly. Unfortunately, there is no specific medication to treat norovirus. To help prevent transmission, everyone should practice good hand hygiene by washing with soap and water frequently. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus.

If you have symptoms of norovirus, please stay home and do not attend class or come to work:

If you have diarrhea or are vomiting, it is important to get rest and drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Water, Gatorade, or pedialyte are best.
Stay in your residence hall room or home while you have symptoms and for the first few days after you feel better because this is the period during which you are most contagious.
Have a friend bring food to you during the first 24 hours of your recovery period. Students on Tufts meal plans can follow this process.
Do not return to dining centers or go shopping until you have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
Handle contaminated laundry with care. Wash the items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length, and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting.
After your symptoms subside, do not prepare food for anyone other than yourself for at least 3 days.
AS&E students: University policy does not require sick notes for missing class. If students cannot attend class due to illness, they should inform their professor as soon as possible. Students may notify instructors via email or through the Short-Term Illness Notification tool in SIS.
All other students: Please follow your school’s policy for missing class due to illness.

If your symptoms are severe, please seek medical treatment:

Students:

Medford/Somerville/SMFA campuses
Student Health Service
124 Professors Row, Medford
Phone: 617-627-3350
On-call service is available 24/7

Boston Health Sciences campus
Center for Collegiate Wellness at Tufts Medical Center
Phone: 617-636-6006
If the Center is closed, contact your PCP or local urgent care clinic.

Grafton campus
Student Health Services
200 Westboro Road, Ground Floor, Room 103, Grafton
508-887-4300
If the office is closed, contact your PCP or local urgent care clinic.

Faculty and Staff:

Contact your PCP, visit the Occupational Health Services (OHS) location on your campus, or contact OHS at 617-627-6500 and select the number for your campus (Medford/Somerville=1; Boston Health Sciences=2; Grafton=3).

Together, we can make a significant difference in reducing our community’s potential exposure to norovirus.

Thank you in advance.

Michael R. Jordan, MD, MPH, FIDSA
Executive Medical Director, Occupational Health and Services
University Infection Control Health Director
Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Community Medicine

Marie Caggiano, MD, MPH
Director, Health Service, AS&E
Assistant Professor of Medicine

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April 18, 2025

FWD: Norovirus awareness and mitigation