Virus Shuts Down Canadian University*

Friday October 13, 2006 9:46 PM

SACKVILLE, New Brunswick (AP) - A Canadian university temporarily closed
Friday amid fears that a virus known to cause havoc on cruise ships and
in nursing homes may be stalking its halls.

An illness believed to be a Norwalk-type virus has sickened at least 100
people on the campus of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and in
the surrounding university town of Sackville.

All activities on campus were suspended until Monday.

Symptoms of Norwalk-like viruses include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
and last up to 48 hours. Such viruses affect 23 million Americans a year
and were blamed for a rash of cruise ship illnesses in recent years.

University spokeswoman Sheila Blagrave said about 40 students went to
the hospital on Thursday and Friday to be treated for dehydration. But
she said no students were admitted for further treatment of the
suspected gastrointestinal bug, which can cause serious problems in
people with depressed immune systems.

People often describe Norwalk-like illnesses as stomach flu or 24-hour
flu, but the viruses have no relationship with the flu, a respiratory virus.

Dr. Denis Allard, a district medical health official in New Brunswick,
said public health officials were not ready to say the bug is definitely
Norwalk or a Norwalk type. But he said the outbreak bears the
distinctive traits of Norwalk.