Sai Devana was quick to lend a helping hand when several of his floormates on Sproul Hall 5 South inexplicably began vomiting late Monday night.
“All of a sudden, I saw people throwing up,” Devana said. “I heard a lot of people getting sick in the bathroom, and I tried to help out by getting them trash bags and taking care of them.”
The second-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student said he turned in early after a tiring night, only to wake up at 5 a.m. with severe stomach pains.
“The most prevalent symptom has been constant vomiting,” said Sproul Hall 5 South resident Anna Alexandroni, a fourth-year political science student.
Gastroenteritis is a mild illness that should pass in a couple days for most people, said Susan Quillan, chief of clinical services at the Ashe Center.
“Gastroenteritis is contagious, so if we contain the outbreak now, hopefully we won’t have to resort to other measures,” Quillan said.
The virus is spread through contaminated surfaces or food, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
While Devana said that side effects of the flu ranged in severity, six of the infected Sproul Hall residents have had to go to the emergency room due to extreme dehydration and nausea.
Alexandroni confirmed that emergency medical technicians came to check for bacterial breeding grounds in the hall sometime on Tuesday. she said common areas in the hall, such as the elevator and lounge, were being sanitized multiple times a day to help prevent spread of the outbreak. The Ashe Center was also being cleaned constantly throughout the day, Quillan said.
“No one is being evacuated, but residents do have the option to leave for home if they live nearby,” Alexandroni said.
Quillan encouraged those with stomach flu to go home if they can, as it will help prevent infecting others.
The Ashe Center cautions students to practice proper hygiene, as that is the most effective preventive measure that can be taken in these circumstances. They also suggest cleaning infected surfaces and washing laundry thoroughly. Students who are concerned that they may have the disease should watch out for symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.
Students covered by an outside health insurance agency are charged a $12 co-pay per visit to the Ashe Center.
Quillan also said the Ashe Center would absorb the costs for any lab tests students may be asked to take, and all students can generate doctor’s notes through the Ashe website under “verification of illness and disability.”
The center is working with the Occupational Health Facility to ensure UCLA staff will be taken care of if the outbreak spreads beyond the student population, Quillan said.
Students can also find phone assistance by calling the Ashe Center at 310-825-4073. They can contact the Nurseline after regular business hours at 866- 704-9660.