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Another outbreak solved. As we reported previously, numerous students from the Woodbury Middle School (in Salem, N.H.) and the Florence Rideout Elementary School (in Wilton, N.H.) fell ill after an overnight stay at the Stone Environmental School (in Madison, N.H.). Although approximately 120 children and adults reported some form of illness, only fifteen cases of Salmonella were confirmed. In turn, these illnesses led to the temporary closure of the camp while Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) investigators worked closely with Stone Environmental to locate the source of the problem.

During the ensuing investigation, health officials confirmed that pudding served to the campers was contaminated with Salmonella. Interestingly, however, they also confirmed that the mixer used to prepare the pudding was sanitized by the camp after each use. According to Beth Daley, a DHHS epidemiologist, "the mixer was actually being sanitized in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications."

Nevertheless, it appears that, in addition to using the mixer to prepare pudding, the mixer was also used to prepare scrambled eggs (which can sometimes contain Salmonella). Thus, investigators suspect that a possible defect in the mixer design may have allowed bacteria to get into an area where it couldn't be cleaned out. The mixer has been removed and is undergoing further testing.

In any event, Stone Environmental was pleased that the source of the illness had been found. According to David Freese, executive director of the camp, "our first priority, of course, was the safety of our campers.” And, now that the likely source has been identified, both he and staff are looking forward to reopening soon.

Congratulations to both DHHS and Stone Environmental for their cooperative efforts to find and eliminate the source of these illnesses.

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The Stone Environmental School, where numerous school children reportedly became sick in recent weeks, temporarily closed after new cases of illness were reported last week. Previously, approximately 70 of 98 students (and staff) from the Woodbury Middle School in Salem, N.H. reported becoming sick after visiting the overnight camp. Last week, an additional 20 of 80 students who stayed at the camp (from Florence Rideout Elementary School in Wilton, N.H.) reported illness as well. Although some of the previous illnesses were caused by Salmonella, it is not yet clear whether the more recent illnesses are in any way related to the camp or exposure to the pathogen.

Nevertheless, the Stone Environmental School voluntarily suspended operations, for at least a few days, to allow health officials to continue their investigation. Click on the folloing link to see the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services Press Release.  According to Dr. Jose Montero, director of public health, "[i]t has been very difficult in this case to trace the exact source of the salmonella bacteria."

Despite a focused investigation, and close cooperation from camp officials, the original source of the Salmonella remains unknown.

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Salmonella has been getting a lot of press these days. On the heals of numerous recalls involving the pathogen in food, we learned today that as many as 50 middle school children from Salem, New Hampshire may have been sickened with Salmonella after attending an overnight camp. On Monday, the Woodbury Middle School contacted the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, advising them that approximately 50 children had called in sick. Many students reported symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and high fever.

This, of course, prompted an investigation, and health department officials have confirmed, via stool sampling, that at least some students were infected with Salmonella. The number of ill students also continues to rise, with a total of 69 children absent from school yesterday. According to Dr. Jose Montero, the state director of public health, at least one student has been hospitalized.

Notably, last week, all of the sick children attended an overnight camp (at the Stone Environmental School in Madison, NH). In turn, health officials have been interviewing infected children, and are working quickly to determine the specific origin of the outbreak. At this point, it is not clear whether the children were exposed to Salmonella through food or environmental sources.  Thus, we’ll be sure to report if and when the source of the outbreak is confirmed.

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