US university closed after 100 students fall ill

A university in the US state of Connecticut was closed down on Monday after some 100 students fell ill.

The affected students at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury were suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains.

University president John Clark said in a statement on Monday that crews would be working to sanitize and disinfect two campuses, adding that "we want to make doubly sure that the university is safe and secure for all before reopening."

The decision to shutter the university was "the best and most conservative course of action to protect our university community from infection and spread of the disease," Clark said.

Students were additionally encouraged to return home to curb the spread of the infection. Those unable to go home were urged to stay in their rooms.

They were also alerted to seek emergency attention if they suffered from dehydration, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches and muscle cramps.

No further information was provided on the nature of the infection.