Bellevue Summer Camp Hit By Norovirus Outbreak: King County

BELLEVUE, WA - At least 29 campers and staff at Camp SAMBICA in Bellevue have been sickened by suspected norovirus since Aug. 8. County health investigators found health code violations at the camp, as well as a possibly sick employee.

The county has not had lab confirmation that the illnesses are norovirus, but symptoms are consistent with the bug, which is the most common gastrointestinal ailment.

"Public Health's Environmental Health inspectors visited the camp on August 11th. During the field inspection, they identified a violation related to improper handwashing facilities and sanitizing, which are both risk factors for spreading norovirus," the county reported. "We also identified one food worker that was working while ill in the days before the others developed symptoms."

SAMBICA (Sammamish Bible Camp Association) is a Christian day and overnight camp along Lake Sammamish in southeast Bellevue. The camp has been in Bellevue since 1919.

The camp is cleaning its facilities to eliminate the virus, and sick employees are being asked to steer clear of work for at least 48 hours. King County will make a return inspection soon.

King County had originally reported one hospitalization connected to the outbreak, but later corrected that - there have been no hospitalizations related to the outbreak.

Image via Centers for Disease Control