Stomach bug ails attendees of Fields Center dinner

A number of students and parents reported stomach problems after an Akwaaba sponsored dinner at the Fields Center last Friday, Akwaaba President Amaka Megwalu '06 said. Akwaaba served African and Caribbean food from two local restaurants during their event, "It All Began in Africa: Celebration of the African Diaspora."

Afterwards, many of the approximately 80 participants suffered from nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pains and sought medical attention at McCosh Health Center. However, the exact cause of the cases remains unknown.

"Some people didn't eat the food and still got sick," Megwalu said.

Megwalu said a Princeton-based health and environmental safety organization contacted the student group after the event to help conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

They will be testing food and water samples, Megwaly said. It has been speculated that either the water coolers used at the event or the food from the restaurants was contaminated, said Chioma Ihunnah '06, secretary of Akwaaba.

University Chief Medical Officer Daniel Silverman said it is difficult to determine whether the incoming patients are suffering from food poisoning or the "stomach flu" — viral gastroenteritis — that has hit campus.

"I don't know if it's food poisoning," Silverman said. "The cases may be more instances of the 'stomach flu.'"

The patients from the Akwaaba event and all the "stomach flu" cases share the same symptoms and the sickness lasts about the same amount of time, Silverman added.

Since Friday, the number of new patients at McCosh complaining of stomach problems has also remained fairly steady, Silverman said.

Despite the outbreak, many participants enjoyed Akwaaba's first event. "It was very successful. The speakers were very articulate, and they had a lot of great performances by groups like the Black Arts Company, Vivacity, Sympoh and Capoeira," Azeesat Babajide '06 said.