Members of the university community are asked to monitor their health and follow basic hygiene guidelines due to incidences of stomach flu affecting many UB students this week.

Susan Snyder, director of student health services, said an initial university investigation into the illnesses points to viral gastroenteritis, producing all or some of these symptoms: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache and body aches, fever and chills, sweating, abdominal cramps and loss of appetite.

Students with severe symptoms or symptoms lasting more than 24 hours should contact Student Health Services at 716-829-3316 or their family health care providers. UB employees should contact their health care providers.

To prevent the spread of the virus, members of the UB community are reminded to follow these basic hygiene guidelines: Wash your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, do not share personal items, do not share food or drink or eating utensils, do not prepare food for other if you are ill, avoid those who are sick and wash surfaces in your work space, including keyboards and telephones.

Students who are sick are asked to stay away from class and public spaces until they are feeling better and to contact their professors to make accommodations to complete coursework. Employees who are sick should stay home and contact their supervisors.

More information can be found here.

The illness is not believed to be the result of food poisoning, according to UB’s Office of Environment, Health and Safety. The investigation indicates the sick students did not eat similar meals at common locations during a common timeframe. As a precaution, university food service workers are taking measures (extra handwashing, staying home if sick) to prevent the potential spread of the stomach virus among customers.