The number of students experiencing vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea at University of Southern California rose to about 130, making the university officials take serious measures in order to prevent more infections.

All the students have been hospitalized with the same symptoms, all indicating it could be a norovirus, university spokesman James Grant said, but initial findings won’t be confirmed until test results are returned from county health department in two or three weeks.

Meanwhile, the campus cafeteria was closed; students were urged to wash their hands in order to prevent the spread of the virus (in this sense, the school has ordered 3,000 bottles of hand sanitizers and 2,000 containers of sanitizing wipes to distribute on Monday, when classes will resume as regularly scheduled). Moreover, students who are already sick should stay at home, take plenty of liquids and not socialize until they are feeling better,” Health Center director Dr. Lawrence Neinstein said.

In this sense, early Saturday, students were strongly advised to avoid the USC Trojans and Oregon football game at the Coliseum.

Generally, the illness’s incubation period is of 1- to 2 days. However, it “may be as short as 12 hours.” However, the notification said the suspected virus, which is self-limiting, can be contagious for more than a few days after an individual gets well. Therefore, washing hands after eating, preparing food, and going to the restroom is imperious. Sharing foods and beverages is out of question these days, campus officials added.