GASTROENTERITIS, MULTIPLE CAUSES - USA (OHIO) (02)
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer [edited]
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/23/loc_loc1ohill.html 100 more reports of illness confirmed - no source ID's on S. Bass Island
Health officials said, on Sun 22 Aug 2004, that more than 100 additional cases of a gastrointestinal illness have been confirmed among visitors to this resort area.
Researchers have identified 630 cases, up from 510 on Sat 21 Aug 2004, said Jay Carey, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health. Interviews still need to be done with 192 people who have reported symptoms, he said. Most
people have said that they suffered from cramps, diarrhea, nausea, fever, and chills within 2 or 3 days of visiting Lake Erie's South Bass Island.
Carey said tests have confirmed cases of salmonella, norovirus, and campylobacter among the victims, who've reported symptoms lasting from a day up to a week. Most of the people became ill within the past 3 weeks, as
recently as Fri 20 Aug 2004, but some cases date to June 2004, Carey said.
No cause has been found, and nothing has been ruled out, he said. "What we're looking for now are other commonalities their visits may have had," he said.
Despite the illness, there are no visitor restrictions in the area, Carey said.