New York summer camps charging $19,000 a child struck by mystery stomach bug outbreak
Children at summer camps in upstate New York and Pennsylvania are being struck down by a mystery stomach illness, an industry body has confirmed.
Dozens of youngsters and their counselors are believed to be sick at three sites, including one where as many as half are unwell.
Tyler Hill and Trail’s End camps in Pennsylvania, and Timber Lake camp in New York, which each charge about $19,000-a-child for the summer are affected, according to the New York Post, which first reported the cases.
A parent claimed to the newspaper that a camp had run out of beds in its health center as well as toilets to throw up in.
Alicia Skovera, spokeswoman for the American Camp Association in New York, told the Daily Mail: ‘We’ve been in contact with… affected camps since the illness was identified, and disinfection protocols are being followed.
‘Camps that maintain strong isolation, hygiene and cleaning practices typically contain outbreaks quickly.
‘We hope the impacted campers and staffers are feeling better and that everyone has a wonderful rest of the summer.’
Tyler Hill Camp in Pennsylvania has reportedly experienced an outbreak of a virus
Some parents are reported to have driven up to the camps to collect their children.
It was not clear what caused the outbreak, but parents have blamed norovirus online, a common stomach bug easily transmitted by unwashed hands that causes diarrhea and vomiting.
Meanwhile, the US is battling a major outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes ‘explosive’ diarrhea and has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce sold by Taylor Farms. Taylor Farms has recalled its lettuce from the facility linked to the outbreak.
Overall, 18,000 people across 45 states are thought to have been sickened by the parasite so far this year.
About 26 million children and adults attend summer camps nationwide every year, which help foster friendships and give children more time outdoors.
But experts warn that infections such as norovirus can easily spread through camps because many people live in them in close proximity.
Social media account ‘scarycampmom,’ which tracks summer camps, has posted about the outbreak. The user wrote on Instagram: ‘Nothing like a camp-wide stomach bug to get them in tip-top shape for the backend of camp.’
Under her post, a parent added: ‘It’s definitely [norovirus]. It took everyone down hard. But kids got over it in 24 hours.’
The above post, from Instagram account ‘scarycampmom,’ highlighted the reported outbreak
According to a parent who spoke to the New York Post, the surge in cases began at Tyler Hill camp in mid-July.
The camp quarantined sick children, but it was claimed that this did not happen until after children from two other camps had visited for sports matches.
Timber Lake has reported 15 sicknesses among children and staff, mostly young children, reported the New York Post.
Trail’s End camp is also said to have reported cases among some children, who are now said to have been quarantined.
It was not clear whether cases at the three camps were linked, or whether they were all caused by the same illness.
Children quarantined at summer camps are asked to use separate restrooms and eating facilities until at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve.
The Daily Mail contacted each camp for comment but did not receive a response.
A spokesman for the New York State Department of Health told the Daily Mail that it was ‘not uncommon’ to see norovirus outbreaks at this time of year.
Timber Lake Camp in New York is said to be experiencing cases of a stomach illness
Bouts of sickness are also said to have been reported at Trail’s End Camp in Pennsylvania
It added that any outbreaks are ‘taken seriously’ and that health officials always work to ‘identify potential outbreaks and provide guidance’ when these occur.
Norovirus is more common in the winter months, when many socialize in smaller spaces amid cooler temperatures, but cases can also rise in the summer due to people remaining in close proximity, such as at summer camps.
It is highly contagious and easily spread via touching contaminated surfaces or eating food that has also been touched by a sick individual.
Patients become unwell within one to three days of being infected and suffer symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.
The disease normally clears within 24 to 48 hours, but, in rare cases, the diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration that leads to hospitalization.
Warning signs of dehydration include decreased urination, a dry mouth or throat, feeling dizzy when standing and unusual sleepiness or fussiness.
Young children, older adults and people with a weakened immune system are particularly at higher risk from norovirus.
About 19 to 21 million cases of the disease are recorded in the US each year, estimates suggest.
Online, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage dedicated to warning parents and staff about the risk of summer camp norovirus outbreaks.
The CDC urges campers and staff to ensure they are free of norovirus symptoms for 48 hours before arriving at a summer camp.
To avoid diseases spreading, everyone at camps should regularly wash their hands with soap and warm running water, the agency advises.
At camps, staff are also told to instruct campers how to properly wash their hands and to isolate ill campers and staff, as well as ensure they use separate restrooms and eating facilities until 48 hours after their symptoms resolve.
