'Norwalk-like' illness fells 65 at hockey camp: Gastrointestinal bug forces lakeside site to close down temporarily for disinfection

07.jul.06
Globe & Mail
Tenille Bonoguore
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060707.wxcamp07/BNStory/National/home

A summer hockey camp north of Huntsville, Ontario, has been shut down after an outbreak of an unidentified gastrointestinal illness struck 65 of the 300 campers and staff this week.

North Bay and District Health Unit medical officer Catherine Whiting was cited as saying health officers are now investigating the cause of the illness, with preliminary findings pointing to a food-borne "Norwalk-like" virus that is passed through contact with feces and that no new illnesses have been reported since Wednesday night.

The camp's assistant director, Mike Wolfraim, was cited as saying the site was being disinfected in preparation to reopen on Tuesday, adding, "This was not expected, obviously, but it's one of those situations you just have to deal with."

Ontario Camping Association executive director Aruna Ogale was cited as saying all member camps must comply with the OCA's health committee standards and that the hockey camp had followed all the correct procedures in clamping down on the illness and contacting parents, adding, "If they're our members, they have to be willing to toe the line. We visit on a regular basis, and if there's any change in personnel at senior levels, we visit right away."

But Ogale was further cited as saying there are no regulations over who can start camps, and not all sign up to the OCA and its guidelines, camps can vary greatly in standards.

A spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care was cited as saying that summer camps are exempt from the stringent food-premises regulations, coming under their recreational camp regulations that dictate minimal criteria and that training in proper food handling is not a requirement in that process. Minimum standards are set for food preparation, the training to provide that was voluntary and local health units were only required to provide courses if requested.

Dr. Whiting was further cited as saying that while such illness outbreaks are uncommon, said it was a timely reminder for parents to scrutinize exactly where they send children for the summer, adding, "As a parent, you might want to know about the conditions at the camp. You might want to ask about the water and food preparation. It's the same risk assessment as when you're travelling anywhere."

Dr. Whiting said the case also reinforces the need for correct hand-washing and hygienic food preparation.