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YMCA camp closes after about 80 become sick

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 18, 2008 at 6:36 p.m.
Updated June 19, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.

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YMCA officials will close Camp Chief Ouray in Grand County today after 72 campers and 15 staff members became ill with what health officials believe is norovirus.

State officials are investigating the outbreak of stomach-flu-like illness, the second time in three years that YMCA officials have had to cancel a summer camp session because of a stomach virus.

In July 2005, the summer camp was closed after about 85 youngsters came down with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

The latest camp closing was voluntary, according to Mark Salley, a spokesman for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"We are investigating a highly suspicious case of norovirus," Salley said. "It's not been confirmed yet, but since it's highly suspected, we've asked the camp to voluntarily close, and they are cooperating with us in our investigation."

YMCA spokeswoman Laurie Van Horn called the 2005 outbreak and this week's outbreak "completely unrelated" and

"really unfortunate."

Van Horn said virus strikes when people are in close quarters and said it's unlikely the bug was foodborne.

"At camp, kids are sharing water bottles and Snickers bars, and they're holding hands, and unless their hygiene is impeccable, we are certainly susceptible to this," Van Horn said.

Camp Chief Ouray is about four miles west of Tabernash, approximately 80 miles northwest of Denver.

ensslinj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5291

Comments

  • June 18, 2008

    8:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    American100 writes:

    Maybe the YMCA should consider hiring locals instead of bringing in cheap labor from foreign countries, who bring with them all the crappy bugs.

  • June 18, 2008

    8:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyReader45 writes:

    The norovirus originated in Washington State, USA. It is virulent and spread easily especially in close quarters like camps, schools and cruise ships. "Locals" get the virus which lasts about two days. Typically the sypmtoms of the illness are quite dramatic and one would not successfully travel into the states with such an illness without being quaranteened. The Y has done a great job handling this sad situation. Suggesting that this norovirus outbreak has anything to do with the immigration status of any of the camp workers is baseless.

  • June 19, 2008

    9:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blacksho89 writes:

    Reader;
    Don't confuse the issue by introducing facts. These forums are reserved for uninformed rhetoric only. I await your apology.