Residents of Warren Towers have been hardest hit by a stomach flu virus that has been spreading across Boston University’s campus, Student Health Services officials said in a campus-wide email on Thursday.

in response, both students and staff in Warren have been taking measures to help prevent the number of cases from growing.

Warren Towers Facilities Management and Planning staff has increased cleaning efforts in the dorms as a preventive measure.

in addition, foods such as fruits and bread in the Warren Towers dining hall have been placed behind the salad counter to prevent students from touching them and spreading the infection. Open containers of spreads and yogurt have been replaced by individual ones.

Warren Towers freshmen interviewed on the subject said they have noticed the spread of illness among their peers.

“I know a lot of people here who have gotten sick, especially in C tower,” said College of Communication freshman Brendan Stack. “They just stayed in their room for a day, sometimes two, but after that they were fine. None of them sought out SHS.”

Some students said they are taking these preventative measures seriously.

“I try to wash my hands a lot and be extra careful with things like drinking from other people’s water bottles,” said School of Management freshman Alicia Leone. “I like what they did in the dining hall. It’s a little annoying to have to ask for fruit but I see why it’s necessary.”

College of Arts and Sciences freshman William Nash said his roommate was one of the people who went to SHS upon protracting the flu.

“His stomach hurt and he had a fever,” he said. “They gave him Ibuprofen and told him to rest up.”

COM freshman Joshua Wagner, however, said he was not too concerned.

“This time of the year everyone gets sick,” he said. “I don’t know anyone who has this kind of flu. The only things I noticed were the changes in the cafeteria. . .I think people are overreacting.”

in the email, David McBride, director of SHS, informed students of the epidemic and outlined possible preventive measures.

“It seems most likely that this does not represent a food-borne illness,” McBride wrote. “The clinical presentation is possibly consistent with Norovirus.”

The Norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness caused by viruses and/or bacteria that should be treated supportively, the email said.

Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains and nausea that will commonly disappear within 24 to 72 hours.

“Wash your hands frequently, particularly after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food,” he recommended. “Avoid those who are ill, if possible.”

BU spokesman Colin Riley said there was no reported link between the flu and food-borne illnesses.

“Students contracted a stomach ailment, but we don’t know what caused it and the Board of Health doesn’t think it is food related,” Riley said.

instead of contacting SHS and seeking medical care, the email recommends students try to treat the disease themselves.

The email lists drugs such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen, fluids and rest as useful remedies.

in another SHS email sent on Friday, McBride encouraged students to get the flu shot if they haven’t already.