November 7, 2008 12:55 p.m.
To the Hope College Campus Community:
It is in regard to a serious health issue that I communicate with you at this
time. Within the past few minutes the College Administrators have met with county
health officials who issued the letter below with an emergency order. This
order is mandatory under Michigan law.
Because of the growing number of reported illnesses today, health officials have
changed their earlier advice to follow good hygiene practices to a cancellation
of all campus activities effectively immediately.
It is strongly recommended by health officials that students refrain
from travel and meeting in large groups.
Please watch for additional messages posted here regarding this situation.
President James E. Bultman
Letter from Ottawa County Department of Health
Ottawa County Health Department
Emergency Order to Control an Epidemic
November 7, 2008
Hope College
141 E. 12th Street
Holland MI 49423
This Emergency order is made pursuant to Section 2251 and Section 2253 of the
Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.2251 and MCL 333.2253.
The Ottawa County Health Department, in cooperation with college officials has
been investigating a suspected Norovirus outbreak on the campus of Hope College.
Approximately 120 students have reported symptoms to the Hope College Health
Clinic and the Ottawa County Health Department.
Norovirus is a highly contagious illness and a common cause of diarrhea, nausea,
and vomiting. Hospitalization is rare and most people recover in 24 to 48 hours.
In order to protect public health, the Ottawa County Health Department is issuing
this order to prohibit the gathering of people on the Hope College Campus. This
order includes the cancellation of classes, athletic events and any other event
where people may gather on campus. This order is in effect from 1:00 p.m., Friday,
November 7, 2008 through 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2008.
This order also includes closing all dining facilities until a thorough cleaning
and disinfection, utilizing the attached guidelines, can be completed. Dining
facilities may be opened after disinfection, however, carry out services are
encouraged.
With this order we are advising the cleaning and disinfection of all common gathering
areas and commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, keyboards, and desk
tops.
Compliance with this order is mandatory under Michigan Law. Thank you for your
cooperation in protecting public health. If you have any questions about this
order, please call Lisa Stefanovsky, Ottawa County Health Officer at 393-5781or
Dr. Paul Heidel, Ottawa County Medical Director at 494-5548.
Lisa Stefanovsky
Health Officer
What is Norovirus? -- Noroviruses are a group of
viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. The symptoms of norovirus
infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and low-grade fever.
Noroviruses are transmitted through the consumption of fecally contaminated
food or water, direct person-to-person spread, or environmental contamination.
The source of the illness at Hope has not been determined.
Hope Health Center website
Ottawa County
Health Department website
A
Norovirus Overview (Courtesy WebMD)
Noroviruses Up-Close
(Courtesy Wikipedia) |
