Stomach virus sweeps through NCSU sorority, fraternity

The students all live in Greek Village, south of Western Boulevard between Avent Ferry Road and Varsity Drive. The Alpha Delta Pi sorority was the hardest hit, and cleaning crews spent much of Wednesday and Thursday sanitizing the sorority house and the nearby Kappa Alpha fraternity house.

Public health officials are conducting tests to determine if norovirus is to blame for the illnesses. The highly contagious virus is spread through fecal-contaminated food and water and causes a few days of severe vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

"We know there was a large gathering on Sunday night at the sorority house,"  N.C. State spokesman Brad Bohlander said. "We believe that might be a possible origin point. We are working with Wake County Public Health to collect samples from all the individuals and really try to figure out exactly what this illness is."

Students heading into the sorority house Thursday declined to discuss the illness, but others who live in Greek Village said they're being extremely cautious.

"I think it was pretty bad. It hit like at least half their house," Riley Vermilion said.

"I'm staying away from people," Dane Nelson said. "I don't want to, like, associate too much with them until this like passes over because I'm definitely not trying to get sick during exams."

Most of the students became ill Tuesday, and Bohlander said it appears the illness has been contained. Still, N.C. State sent emails and letters urging all students in Greek Village to exercise good hygiene.

University officials also sent wellness kits to the affected students that contain things such as electrolyte solution, and they told the students to frequently wash their hands, stay hydrated and isolate themselves until they're symptom-free for 24 hours.