NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a recent cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses in people who went to the Lake Anna area for Memorial Day weekend.
According to a June 6 news release from the health agency, some people were diagnosed with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections, and some cases of gastrointestinal illnesses required hospitalization. VDH said the illness has mostly been reported in children, who all had similar symptoms.
“We hope that those hospitalized continue to recover and can return home to their families soon,” Rappahannock Health District Health Director Olugbenga O. Obasanjo, MD, wrote in the news release. “This is an ongoing investigation with the health department, and we will likely continue to learn about the situation in the coming days.”
Situated between Richmond and Culpeper, Lake Anna is a popular destination for people in Central and Northern Virginia to enjoy the freshwater and its nearby amenities, such as Lake Anna State Park.
The agency stated that while the sick people confirmed swimming or other water exposures in Lake Anna, there isn't enough information to determine if the water is the cause of the illness. According to VDH, harmful algae blooms (HABs) aren't suspected as the cause of illnesses since the E. coli pathogen isn't associated with HABs.
Health officials are testing the lake for bacteria concentrations to figure out if there's a public health risk. VDH said it is also investigating all potential causes of illness, including food exposure.
For people who visited the Lake Anna area on Memorial Day weekend or since and experienced gastrointestinal illness, VDH recommends reaching out to a local health department and seeking medical care.
What are the symptoms of E. coli?
E. coli symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills, according to VDH.
How to avoid getting sick after swimming
VDH shared tips for staying healthy while swimming and boating in natural waters:
- Don't drink untreated water, and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds. Natural waters — such as rivers, lakes and oceans — contain germs and contaminants.
- Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and eating food.
- Avoid swimming near storm drains that flow into natural waters.
- Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
- Don't go in the water if there is a green film on the water and keep pets out as well. This could be an algal bloom, which could produce toxins that can make people sick.
- Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
- Avoid swimming for three days after heavy rain. Germs can come from overflowing sewage, polluted stormwater and land runoff.
- Properly dispose of human waste by discharging boat sewage at marinas with a pump-out unit or dump station.
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