E. coli Outbreak at Camp Lutherhaven in Idaho Sickens 5 Staff Workers
Five staff workers at Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene tested positive for E.coli O26, according to news reports.
All five experienced abdominal cramping and diarrhea. One had bloody diarrhea, and some experienced nausea.
According to the Coeur d' Alene Press:
The five staff workers worked in the camp kitchen and four were food handlers during the camp’s start-off week June 19 to June 24. They were excluded from kitchen duty as soon as their illnesses were known. The five also shared living quarters.
“I’m thankful we caught it when we did,” said Bob Baker, Camp Lutherhaven executive director. “We’ve put everything in place to stop this in its tracks.”
Because these staff workers were food handlers, it is possible others have been infected. This can happen when sick food handlers do not adequately wash their hands.
The source of the outbreak is under investigation. Recent E. coli outbreaks at summer camps have involved contaminated well water and contaminated hamburger.
