University of Guelph: 190 students sick with gastroenteritis

The number of gastroenteritis cases at the University of Guelph has risen to 190.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health shared the latest tally on Friday.

Gastroenteritis was first reported on campus Monday and by Wednesday, the school said around 60 students were sick. The next day, it had climbed to 150 cases.

Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, told CTV News those were only the illnesses they knew about, and she expected the number to rise “substantially” over the next few days.

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of gastroenteritis, which can last between 12 and 24 hours.

While they haven’t positively identified the virus, public health believes it is Norovirus.

The university told CTV News on Wednesday that most of the illnesses were linked to South Residence, although other cases had been reported off campus.

Public health has confirmed they are working with the school to mitigate the virus’ spread.