At least 130 University of Southern California students have been hospitalized with salmonella poisoning, according to university health officials.

The outbreak seems to have been centered on a cluster of dormitories on USC's campus.

"We don't think it's a food borne illness," university spokesman James Grant said Sunday. "It looks like it's a human-contact virus, a stomach flu."

Health Center director Dr. Lawrence Neinstein said the sickness was highly-contagious, but could spread very far without human contact. "The school is not recommending a full-scale quarantine because washing hands with soap frequently can prevent contamination," he said.

"Students who do not feel well are asked to stay at home, take plenty of liquids, and not socialize until they are feeling better," Neinstein said.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours. It can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems such as infants and the elderly.

The school has ordered 3,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 2,000 containers of sanitizing wipes to distribute on Monday to classes.

(Agencies via Xinhua October 6, 2008)