The officials began receiving reports of sick children Sunday, when boys from about 70 troops and some adults returned home after a week at the Goshen Scout Reservation near Lexington, VA. Most of the scouts are from northern Virginia, and one of the confirmed cases involves a Maryland adult.
As many as 60 people who attended the camp also have exhibited symptoms.
Nearly 1,500 scouts and adult leaders and 200 staff were at the camp from July 20-26, the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America said in a statement.
Christopher Novak, a health department epidemiologist told the Washington Post that six of those sickened were treated and released. Of the remaining four, two had hemolytic uremic syndrome, which occurs when the toxin produced by the bacterium enters the bloodstream.
The outbreak, which is most commonly caused by undercooked contaminated ground beef, can cause stomach cramps, watery bloody diarrhea, and fever and chills. In severe cases, the infection can damage organs such as kidneys. E. coli sickness is the most common form of the infection.
Possible sources also include unwashed greens, swimming in contaminated water, and food fouled by preparers who haven't washed their hands.
