July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Chapman University’s Cafeteria Infects 50 Students With Norovirus

The latest health news (Thinkstock).
The latest health news (Thinkstock).

Chapman University’s cafeteria was likely the source of a norovirus outbreak at the university, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced Wednesday.

The cafeteria was closed and disinfected over the weekend. It re-opened for breakfast on Monday and has been open since on its regular schedule, the university said in a statement.

The agency received about 30 reports of ailing students on Friday, according to Deanne Thompson, its public information officer.

Chapman officials said yesterday about 50 students complained of symptoms of the gastrointestinal virus, according to Mary Platt, the university’s director of communications and media relations.

Norovirus can be foodborne or passed on by human touch.

It was “very difficult” to assess how the outbreak occurred because in a college setting, which includes dormitories, there would be “multiple ways” for the virus to get passed on, Thompson said.

“As far as we can tell, all those ill have recovered or are recovering,” Thompson said.

The virus “can be passed in multiple settings, not just in a food borne event,” Thompson said.

“So it would not be surprising if some of the cases at Chapman were unrelated to the cafeteria. Nevertheless, given that so many persons reported developing noro-like illness over such a short period of time after eating at the cafeteria, the cafeteria clearly appears to have been a source of norovirus.”

Laboratory officials determined norovirus in stool specimens from ailing students, Thompson said. The HCA credited Chapman for being “very aggressive and proactive in addressing the concern,” she added.

Norovirus is “very common,” Thompson said.

Chapman’s dining staff workers have been trained by the Health Care Agency “on how to work safely and protect students from the virus in the disinfected facility, and the dining commons,” the university said in a statement.

Chapman has hand sanitizers available throughout the campus, according to the statement.

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...