CHAPEL HILL – UNC Campus Health Services is reporting an unusual spike in the number of students coming in with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea—and for the moment, they’re not sure why.
Health officials found the increase worrisome enough to send out a campus-wide Alert Carolina message Thursday afternoon informing the UNC community. The message says Campus Health Services and the Orange County Health Department are working together to identify the cause.
In the meantime, health officials say it’s a good idea to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.
The full Alert Carolina message is below.
INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE FROM ALERT CAROLINA: Message from Campus Health
February 28, 2013
Dear Carolina Community,
Increased numbers of students with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are being seen at Campus Health Services and other healthcare facilities. Campus Health Services is working very closely with the Orange County Health Department to identify the cause of these illnesses.
To keep healthy in the meantime, please take the following preventive steps:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.
• Alcohol-based sanitizers may not always be effective.
If you are sick or are around others who are sick:
• Do not go to work or school and stay at home if at all possible.
• Wash and rinse fruits and vegetables carefully before consuming them.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness. First spray the area with a bleach-based disinfectant or diluted household bleach; then clean with the disinfectant wearing disposable gloves. Diluted bleach should be mixed with 1:10 water and mixed daily.
• Cleanup waste should be placed in a plastic bag, which should be tied and placed in the trash receptacle.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens in hot water and detergent. They may be contaminated after an episode of illness.
• Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean and disinfected.
• If you are ill, prevent dehydration by frequently sipping a non-alcoholic beverage.
Students with questions should contact Campus Health Services at (919) 966-6573 to speak directly with a registered nurse. University employees with questions, especially housekeepers who want specific guidance, should contact the Department of Environment, Health & Safety at (919) 962-5507.
Sincerely,
Mary Covington
Executive Director for Campus Health Services
Related Stories
‹
UNC Not Requiring COVID-19 Testing Upon Students' Return, Citing 'False Sense of Security'As UNC prepares for students, faculty and staff to return in August for a fall semester, it is revealing more details on how it will operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first weekly update on the implementation of the Carolina Roadmap for Fall 2020, Provost Bob Blouin shared details on how the campus community […]
Chansky's Notebook: On the RiseCourtney Banghart has the pieces in place to take the UNC women's basketball program to the next level in the coming years.
UNC Women's Basketball in the 2026 NCAA Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off TimesCarolina will compete in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Tar Heels will face No. 1 overall seed and defending champion UConn in Fort Worth, TX Friday. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to […]
UNC, Duke Educators Among Spring Inductees to North Carolina's Order of the Long Leaf PineDeVetta Holman-Copeland and Beverly McIver were two of the 12 people who received North Carolina's highest civilian honor on Mar. 10.
Chansky's Notebook: In Others' HandsSince his first year as UNC head coach, Hubert Davis has failed to meet the program’s lofty standards over the past four seasons.
UNC Baseball Uses Sunday Comeback to Win Home Series vs. LouisvilleThe Diamond Heels earned a key series win against Louisville at Boshamer Stadium during the weekend, and Carolina had to mount a comeback in the series finale Sunday to do so. The series opener saw UNC earn another 10-run rule result in an 11-1 win which was ended after eight innings. Carolina seized control with […]
UNC Women's Basketball Beats No. 5 Seed Maryland to Advance to NCAA Sweet 16No. 4 seed UNC outscored No. 5 Maryland 24-16 in the fourth quarter and beat the Terrapins 74-66 in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 at Carmichael Arena Sunday afternoon. The Tar Heels now advance to the tournament’s Sweet 16, which will be played in Fort Worth, TX next week. SO 𝙎𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙏. pic.twitter.com/ZfyaHTTQsx — Carolina […]
UNC Lacrosse: Women Dominate Boston College, Men Outlast ArmyThe UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams each picked up wins against ranked foes at Dorrance Field Saturday afternoon. The top-ranked women’s team soundly beat Boston College, while the fifth-ranked men held on to beat Army. Both the Eagles and Black Knights are ranked No. 16 in the national polls. The women led off the […]
UNC Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Opponent Breakdown: MarylandNo. 4 seed UNC will face No. 5 seed Maryland Sunday at Carmichael Arena with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. The winner will play in the regional semifinals in Fort Worth, TX next week. Carolina is seeking its second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16. The Terrapins defeated No. 12 seed […]
The Signs Were There for a UNC Men's Basketball Collapse. Against VCU, It Finally Happened.UNC's 2025-26 season came crashing down around it Thursday night in Greenville, as the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead in the second half.
›
