Notre Dame "gastrointestinal illness."

2012-06-27 19:08:26 - Epidemic Hazard - USA

EDIS CODE: EH-20120627-35576-USA
Date & Time: 2012-06-27 19:08:26 [UTC]
Area: USA, State of Indiana, University of Notre Dame, South Bend



Description:

A mystery illness has affected dozens of high school campers at the University of Notre Dame.

About 80 high school-age students spending time this week at Notre Dame for a sports camp were treated Wednesday on campus and at local hospitals for what's being called a "gastrointestinal illness."

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown says all have been treated for symptoms that are typical of the stomach flu and short-lived. Brown says the cause of the illness is unknown, although it may be related to food or a virus and was not associated with any physical activity.

The university is working with the St. Joseph County Health Department to determine the cause. About 30 people were taken to either Memorial Hospital or St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for care. All but 4 had been treated and released by late Wednesday morning, and the rest were expected to be released soon. Brown was not sure whether any of the victims had to go home.

Memorial spokeswoman Maggie Scroope says 15 people were
brought to her hospital's emergency room for what she thought may have been suspected food poisoning between 3:30 and 6:30 a.m. South Bend fire dispatchers confirmed an ambulance was on standby at Notre Dame for several hours Wednesday morning.

St. Joseph County's health officer says food samples and specimen from some of the sick kids have been sent to the Indiana State Department of Health to try and figure out what caused the campers to get sick. No word when those results will be announced. The teenagers were taking part in women's lacrosse, women's basketball, women's tennis, hockey and football camps.