Virginia Department of Health officials are continuing to
investigate an E. coli outbreak at a Boy Scouts reservation that has
affected 17 people so far. Sixteen of those are Scouts ages 10 to
16 from Northern Virginia who attended camp at Goshen Scout
Reservation in Rockbridge County last week. Illness has been
reported in members of multiple troops. The 17th is an adult from
Maryland.
Department epidemiologist Seth Levine said about 60 of the nearly
1,500 people on site at the camp's July 20-26 session have reported
symptoms. As of yesterday afternoon, laboratory tests had confirmed
17 cases of E. coli O157.
The source of the outbreak has not been determined.
"Public health officials are working closely with reservation
staff to explore possible sources of the infection through
interviews with staff, troop leaders, parents of ill children and
health-care providers," Levine said.
The Health Department became aware of the problem Sunday. Public
health officials inspected the reservation site this week and are
trying to determine the scope of the outbreak.
"Our Council leadership has contacted the unit leadership of
record from every unit in camp last week and notified them of the
situation," said Alan Lambert, Scout executive of the National
Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Bethesda, Md.
The average incubation period for E. coli O157 is three to four
days but can last as long as 10 days, Levine said.
One can become infected by eating contaminated food, handling
animals or swimming in feces-contaminated water.
Some people exposed to E. coli do not become ill, but others can
develop stomach cramps and watery bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms
include vomiting, fever and chills. In severe cases, the infection
can damage organs including the kidneys.
Goshen is the National Capital Area Council's resident summer
camp situated on more than 4,000 acres in the mountains of western
Virginia. Six separate camps are located on the shores of 450-acre
Lake Merriweather.
The reservation has stayed open this week and will be open next,
said Lambert.
Camp T. Brady Saunders in Goochland County is no longer in
session but staff members are paying attention to the events at
Goshen.
"When something like this happens, we review our current
procedures to be sure we're not in the same situation," said John
Hankins, reservation superintendent at the camp.
E. coli O157
- E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of humans and
some animals. Most strains do not cause illness, but E. coli O157
can cause serious illness in humans.
- The infection is more common in children.
- Symptoms include stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. Those
affected may also have vomiting, fever and chills.
- The infection can damage organs including the kidneys.
- The most common cause of E. coli O157 is undercooked
contaminated ground beef; however other sources have included
unpasteurized milk and juice, salami, produce and swimming in feces-
contaminated water.
How can E. coli O157 be prevented?
1. Never eat rare or undercooked ground beef. Cook to an internal
temperature of 160 degrees.
2. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands,
counters, utensils and plates after contact with raw meat.
3. Do not ingest unpasteurized milk, milk products, fruit juices
or ciders.
4. Wash any raw fruits or vegetables before eating.
5. Wash hands before and after preparing foods.
6. Always refrigerate meat products. Never leave raw meat at room
temperature.
7. Make sure children wash hands carefully, especially after
using the bathroom or handling animals.
8. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after
using the bathroom or changing diapers.
9. If you have diarrhea, do not use public swimming facilities or
work as a foodhandler.
10. Clean and disinfect diapering areas, toilets/potty chairs,
toys, etc. at least daily and when soiled.
More info: www.vdh.virginia.gov
SOURCE: Virginia Department of Health
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at
(804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.
MEMO: BREAKING NEWS 8/1/2008 7:04 AM on inRich.com
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