Villanova students sickened by virus

About 100 Villanova University students were stricken with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis most likely related to a norovirus, officials said today.

Students at the Radnor campus began calling or going to the school's health center on Wednesday with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Fourteen students were referred to local hospital emergency rooms for treatment of dehydration and then released.

Officials said the students live both on campus and off, and did not have a common food source.

Officials said the numbers of new cases coming in with virus-related symptoms had decreased significantly today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a norovirus is highly contagious. It can be contracted through contaminated food or liquids or touching a contaminated surface and then putting unwashed hands into the mouth. The symptoms usually last for about one or two days.