Around 52 members of an IU fraternity have reported symptoms consistent with an illness known as norovirus, IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said.
The virus causes an inflamed stomach and intestines and can last approximately one to three days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can also lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Carney said the University has not yet confirmed the illness is norovirus, but fraternity members should remain cautious, cancel any social events and practice good hygiene.
The name of the fraternity was not released by IU. The University is treating it as a private concern for the infected students. Carney said IU didn’t want anyone to converge on the fraternity chapter house.
The fraternity was later identified as the Beta Iota chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi by Jon Pierce, a former international president for AEPi and the fraternity's spokesperson.
Pierce said several members returned to campus after spring break with an illness of some sort.
Since then, fraternity members have received medical help, Pierce said, and the chapter house has been industrially cleaned to eliminate health concerns other residents or guests might face.
Carney said numerous students from the fraternity went to the IU Health Center last week and weekend to complain about symptoms. IU's Environmental Health and Safety Office, believing the illness might have been caused by food, went to the fraternity last week to investigate.
Carney said food was not the cause, which means the disease is mostly like a virus.
If the disease is norovirus, it is fairly contagious, Carney said. Students and fraternity members should continue to practice good hygiene by washing their hands and not eating or drinking after anyone.
This story has been updated with additional information about the fraternity.
