Source Of Salmonella Associated With Overnight Camp Still Unknown

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

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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Dozens Of Children Sickened By Salmonella After Attending Overnight Camp

Posted on April 23, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

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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