Norovirus Photo: CFP

Twenty-four students from a college in South China's Guangdong Province have been diagnosed with Norovirus after a total of 315 students suffered from symptoms including stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting and fever as of Tuesday morning since November 27. 

According to Guangzhou Vocational and Technical University of Science and Technology, students have consulted the university clinic after suffering from symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and fever since November 27. The clinic directed the students to relevant hospitals for further treatment according to epidemic prevention requirements. 

An urgent investigation by the college showed that the sick students dined at various venues including seven canteens inside the campus and several restaurants outside the campus. 

The examination and testing conducted by the local market watchdog and the center for disease control and prevention in Baiyun district on November 27 showed that there were no food safety concerns in campus canteens. 

The university reported on Tuesday that 315 students suffered from symptoms including stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting and fever with 24 being preliminarily diagnosed as having contracting Norovirus as of 8 am on Tuesday. 

At present, all those with similar symptoms have been quarantined including 284 who were quarantined at the university and 31 at home. 

The college has set up a working group to take immediate measures to control the source of infection, cut off all transmission routes and protect the susceptible population to assure the safety of the students. 

Global Times