Rock Eagle campers had norovirus, health officials say

North Central Health District officials confirmed  that sick campers at Rock Eagle 4-H Center suffered from norovirus.

Credit: CURTIS COMPTON / CURTIS.COMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: CURTIS COMPTON / CURTIS.COMPTON@AJC.COM

North Central Health District officials confirmed that sick campers at Rock Eagle 4-H Center suffered from norovirus.

Health officials confirmed Tuesday that 54 sick campers at Rock Eagle 4-H Center suffered from norovirus last week, according to a North Central Health District news release.

The Georgia Public Health Lab informed local health officials Monday that samples taken from the Putnam County camp came back positive for the virus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

AJC.com reported that some campers began showing symptoms of the gastrointestinal illness Wednesday night. All campers, ages 9-12, returned home Friday after the weeklong camp as was originally scheduled.

MORE: 54 children get sick at popular Georgia summer camp

The popular camp, located about an hour southeast of Atlanta, reopened Tuesday after professional cleaning crews scrubbed down cabins, the pool and other facilities at the recommendation of the health department, 4-H spokeswoman Cris DeRevere said. In addition to Monday’s activities, the camp canceled one event over the weekend.

No additional campers have shown symptoms of the illness, which has been going around surrounding communities, DeRevere said.

> From cdc.gov: How to prevent norovirus, including prevention for youth camps

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