E. coli outbreak at hockey camp sickens 25

Toronto Star, July 27, 2004

SUDBURY (CP) - A 12-year-old boy was in Sick Kids Hospital today with possible kidney damage after 23 people fell ill as a result of what health officials believe was hamburger meat tainted with E. coli bacteria.

Some 19 campers and six staff members at the Adventure North Hockey Camp north of Sudbury, Ont., were taken ill earlier this month after eating improperly cooked hamburger that was purchased July 11 at a local Costco store.

The Sudbury and District Health Unit was warning residents to avoid eating ground beef purchased that same day from the Costco store, where officials have been busy tracking customers who bought the meat.

"As a precautionary measure, the health unit is advising the public not to consume ground beef packaged July 11 from the Sudbury Costco store," Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health with the health unit, said in a news release.

Sutcliffe said Costco is assisting the investigation and "there is no risk to the general community."

Most of those suffering from the bacteria have recovered from it - some after having being treated in hospital.

The boy, whose name was not released, was flown Monday to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for treatment of possible kidney damage caused by infection with E. coli 0157:H7, also known as hamburger disease.

Officials said his condition had improved but that a battery of tests would be necessary to determine the extent of the damage. 

Most of the people who became ill consumed the hamburgers July 16, Sutcliffe said. Others contracted the bacteria the following week, likely as a result of person-to-person contact.

Kidney damage or failure, the most serious complication of E. coli infection, is generally only experienced by about five per cent of those infected with it, she added. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting are more common symptoms.

While 25 cases are under investigation, laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of the bacteria in six of the seven people tested for it, Sutcliffe added. All but one were treated and released from hospital.

Sutcliffe said it appears that it may have been handling and cooking practices at the camp that caused the outbreak.

Camp owner and former NHLer Troy Crowder said the outbreak has been an emotional experience, but noted that parents have been "very supportive" despite the outbreak. 

"So far, we've had nothing but people telling us, 'It's not your fault."'

The camp has been temporarily suspended, but plans to re-open Aug. 8, Crowder said. Only pre-made, pre-cooked hamburgers will be served from now on, he vowed.

Crowder said he spent several distressing nights in hospital with children infected with E. coli.

"It's been very emotionally draining on everybody."