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Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 From: ProMED-mail Source: Statesman Journal, Salem (OR) [edited] Outbreak sickens 10 in Yamhill County ------------------------------------- Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of a dangerous bacterial infection that struck several people who attended a Yamhill County camp gathering last week. As many as 120 people may be at risk of developing _E. coli_ O157, a strain of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, cramps and kidney problems, said Mel Kohn, state epidemiologist in the Department of Human Services. By early Fri, 27 May 2005, at least 10 cases of people infected with _E. coli_ O157 had been confirmed. "I do expect that number to rise considerably as we talk to more people," Kohn said. None of the confirmed infections resulted in hospitalization for kidney problems. Health officials said that anyone with symptoms should seek immediate medical care and anyone who attended Camp Yamhill since 16 May 2005 should contact their local health department. _E. coli_ O157 often is transmitted through eating undercooked meat, swimming in contaminated water, touching infected animals or drinking unpasteurized milk, juice or contaminated water. Infected people also can transmit the illness to others. Children who develop the infection are particularly at risk of kidney failure, which can result in death, Kohn said. The bacteria apparently struck teenage and adult campgoers between 17-20 May 2005 at Camp Yamhill, a camp focused on promoting Christian values. The camp is about 8 miles west of Yamhill. Staff members voluntarily closed the grounds Fri, 27 May 2005, while authorities investigated the cause of the outbreak, said Greg Williams, the camp operations manager. He said the camp is expected to reopen Sun, 29 May 2005. "None of the staff here or none of the groups that followed were sick," Williams said, noting that the outbreak appeared to affect people taking part in the camp's Christian Outdoor School program. People who arrived at the camp for another session on 20 May 2005 did not report becoming ill, he said. Health officials from the state and from Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Yamhill counties are investigating the outbreak. [Byline: Shawn Day] -- ProMED-mail [The source of the _E. coli_ O157 in this outbreak is not yet determined. - Mod.LL]

THANKS Granny.

If you get an update as to the cause of the outbreak would you mind posting it here?

Thank you.

Camp Yamhill, a camp focused on promoting Christian values.

Thanks for the post Granny. Hopefully time will tell whether this was a deliberate act or chalked up to the ever-popular "mysterious / unknown causes."