Willamette University Responds to Virus on Campus

The health department is in the process of confirming the nature of the virus and expect results later next week.

Willamette University in Salem, Oregon Photo by: Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Willamette University is taking precautions in response to a virus brought onto campus by a Girls State participant, and the response is drawing praise from Marion County Health Department officials.

School officials say nineteen Girls State participants became ill earlier this week after one student, who was sick before she arrived at Willamette, brought the virus with her to campus.

Girls State was on campus for their annual conference. Later in the week, 18 additional cases were reported among Girls State participants. Health department officials say Girls State may not have isolated sick individuals for the proper amount of time. No Willamette employees have been infected.

Campus administrators say they are taking every possible precaution to prevent the spread of the illness, even though it did not originate on campus. Organizers ended their program a day early and participants are returning home this evening. Sick participants are currently being isolated until arrangements can be made for their departure. Buildings occupied by Girls State participants are in the process of being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized in accordance with Marion County Health Department specifications.

The virus came from an external source and was not related to Bon Appetit, the campus food service. However, Bon Appetit has taken every possible precaution to prevent its spread, including temporarily eliminating self-service food stations and cleaning and sanitizing Goudy Commons, an on-campus dining facility.

“I’ve seen a lot of these situations, but I have never seen this level of response,” said Bob Anderson, environmental health specialist with Marion County. “When we arrived on campus, Bon Appetit was already in action. They didn’t have to be told what to do. They had already gone to Plan B.”

The health department is in the process of testing to confirm the nature of the virus and will have final results later next week. Health department officials said it is not a serious illness, and most people recover within one to two days. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea; the illness is only spread by contact with those substances from someone who is ill.

Dr. Karen Landers with the health department said that frequent and thorough hand washing, especially after going to the restroom and before eating, is the best way to prevent illness. If people are concerned about someone displaying these symptoms, Landers recommends they contact their doctor.