Camp E. Coli Outbreak in Virginia Cancels Boy Scouts Fun

E Coli

After three more campers showed signs of being infected with E. coli bacteria, Virginia Boy Scout officials temporarily closed the Goshen Scout Reservation. The camp canceled its sixth and final week of summer activities and will remain shut “until further notice” as the source of the E. coli infections is investigated, Alan Lambert, Scout executive of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Capital Area Council, said in a news release.

At least 18 campers had been diagnosed with E. coli infections as of Saturday, the fifth week of the camp’s summer season, the Washington Post reports. About 1,300 campers were attending programs at Goshen during that week. Located about three hours from Washington, the Goshen reservation includes six different camp areas and a 500-acre lake for water sports and hosts about 6,000 scouts from dozens of troops each summer.

The first E. coli infections came to light late last week, after campers who attended Goshen the week before returned home with symptoms. Two required hospitalization. Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, fever and nausea, and can lead to severe dehydration and kidney problems.