Outbreaks can be a source of inspiration for research. Even while there are still folks getting sick.

A decade ago we observed hand hygiene practices during an outbreak at the University of Guelph.

According to the Detroit Free Press, University of Michigan microbiologist Christiane Wobus is hoping to find noro isolates from multiple students ill with the pathogen from a current outbreak.

Scientists at the University of Michigan have recently become approved to collect samples to study norovirus – a nasty bug that spreads fast, just ask the more than 100 students at U-M struck with it earlier this month. It’s hard to grow the norovirus in the lab, so scientists are looking for stool samples from people who currently have norovirus or have had it in the past three days.

They want you to collect the sample in a closable plastic container and drop it off. “We’ll test your fecal sample in our lab for the presence of norovirus,” the study description says. “If positive, we will use your sample as a source of norovirus in basic science studies. If negative, your sample will be destroyed. Thus, the fecal sample will be stored in the laboratory without identifying information for future research indefinitely or until used up.”

In related news, students at a couple of Charlotte schools are suspected to have norovirus, and one of those schools will close tomorrow for thorough cleaning/sanitizing.

“We know today (Thursday), 63 students did not come to school,” Dr. Marcus Plescia, Mecklenburg County Health Director, said. “We’re assuming the majority of them are from this infection and today (Thursday) an additional seven students were sent home because they were having symptoms.”

Several dozen students at Wingate University reported symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Officials are testing to confirm.