The campus of Babson College has been closed from Saturday till Wednesday after the reported outbreak of norovirus, which causes gastrointestinal illness. The college said that though all classes, meetings, other events remain suspended till Wednesday, students have been instructed to stay on the campus, but avoid gathering in large groups.

Dr. Marcia Testa-Simonson, Vice Chairwoman of the Wellesley Board of Health, said that it is on account of the increase in norovirus cases that the decision to close the college has been taken. Since March 25, almost 100 students and staff-members have already complained of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Simonson said that the college and health officials are trying to "capture those students at the school and enact some of the easy preventative solutions." For fighting the illness, which lasts 24 to 60 hours, the college has provided each student room with cleaning supplies, and students are being urged to wash their hands repeatedly.

Though the origin of the norovirus outbreak is yet to be ascertained, the college said has found no clue about the outbreak being food-related. Nonetheless, it is believed that the illness can spread through food and close contact with an infected individual. State epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria said: "The virus can really spread like wildfire, really impossible to find the source."