Virginia Boy Scout Reservation Associated with E. coli Outbreak
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157 infection among recent attendees of a Boy Scout reservation located in Goshen, Virginia. In an effort to determine the source of the outbreak, health officials are interviewing staff, the parents of the ill children, and health care providers.
“The majority of ill persons are residents of northern Virginia, although we are aware that attendees of the camp live in areas throughout Virginia, as well as in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and possibly other states,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner, Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A..
There are at least 13 confirmed cases, all of them boys, according to a story in the Washington Post. Twelve of the thirteen sickened boys are from Northern Virginia, and one boy is from Maryland.
Two of the thirteen boys were hospitalized.
“Some people who are exposed to E. coli O157 do not become ill,” explained VDH epidemiologist, Seth Levine. “Others may develop stomach cramps and watery bloody diarrhea. Fortunately, most people recover on their own within 5-10 days - but it is important that anyone who has bloody diarrhea seek medical attention just to be safe. However, antibiotics do not appear to help people get better faster and are not usually indicated. Persons with diarrhea should drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Drugs that stop diarrhea (e.g., Imodium) should not be used.”
About 5% of the people who contract E. coli O157:H7 infections develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe illness that often causes kidney failure and damages other organs.
Further testing is needed to determine whether this E. coli outbreak associated with the Virginia Boy Scout reservation is also connected to recalled Nebraska Beef, Ltd. beef products.
