An outbreak of H1N1 flu cut short the summer camp adventures for dozens of St. Louis area children at Sherwood Forest Camp in Lesterville, Mo. last week short while halting camp altogether for another 64 who were scheduled to attend camp this week.
Dozens of children developed flu-like symptoms and were sent home with TamiFlu or prescriptions for the medication from local doctors, as well as information for family members from the Centers for Disease Control on how to provide care for those with influenza.
Testing at a hospital near the camp indicated at least five of the campers tested positive for Type A influenza during a “rapid test.” As no specimens were taken, the state will not be able to confirm whether this particular Type A flu bug was actually the H1N1 virus.
“We believe strongly its H1N1 because worldwide, it has become the dominant flu virus,” said Kit Wagar, spokesman for the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services. He added that unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 has been able to withstand summer temperatures.
Symptoms for H1N1 include fever, sore or scratchy throat, a headache and cough.
The children who remained at the camp after the outbreak were sent home late last week. On Tuesday, Sherwood Forest decided the cancel the upcoming session as well.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the health of its campers, the leadership of Sherwood Forest Camp has elected to cancel the final six-day ‘mini-session’ of camp that had been scheduled to begin on Wed., Aug. 5,” the camp released in a prepared statement.
“The camp is instead planning alternate activities to be held at a later date for the 64 youngsters scheduled to attend.”
Sherwood Forest Camp has served low-income children from St. Louis and the surrounding area since 1937 and is located in northern Reynolds County, approximately 100 miles south of the City.
This is the seventh flu outbreak in Missouri summer camps this year.