SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health is investigating as dozens of people fell ill, after spending Memorial Day weekend at Lake Anna.
The Department of Health says that as of June 12, they've received reports of 20 Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cases, five Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases, and 10 other cases that are still under investigation. They say the majority of the cases are children. At least nine people have been reported to the VDH as being hospitalized.
They believe the people who fell ill, got sick between May 27 and June 4.
On June 11, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality conducted water testing, and the VDOH says they are currently waiting on the test results.
On Thursday, the VDH shared in a statement:
We are investigating all possibilities, waterborne, foodborne and person-to-person. There are many variables in the environment which make evaluating bacteria (E.coli) in the water data challenging.
People can get infected after swallowing E. coli.
This can happen through contaminated food or water or contact with animals, environments, or other people.
While all the ill people confirm swimming or other water exposures in Lake Anna, VDH does not have enough information, at this time, to confirm that exposure to the lake, or any specific portion of the lake, is the cause of the illnesses.
Water testing of the lake to evaluate present concentrations of bacteria, and to determine whether or not a public health risk may be ongoing, is being conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
DEQ is scheduled to sample in several locations on the lake on June 11, with test results expected within 48 hours of sampling. It is important to note that rain events, discharges from boats etc., may impact bacteria findings in the lake. Sampling is only a snapshot in time.
"The most terrifying part was just trying to figure out what was wrong for days," said Hollie Johnson.
She told WUSA9 she and her 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter were both diagnosed with E. Coli, just days after visiting Lake Anna.
"We were on the lake that Sunday, just a few hours, not too long," said Johnson.
They were at the lake for Memorial Day weekend visiting friends.
"My granddaughter, I think she got a little mouthful of water one of the times she jumped into her Mom's arms. As embarrassing as it is, whenever I went to get off the boat, I kind of tripped a little and got a little bit of water up my nose, so I think those are the two culprits of how we got it into our bodies," said Johnson.
"About four days later, my granddaughter got sick, and then the next day I did," she explained.
"It was just very severe stomach pains. I don't think I've ever had stomach pains like that in my life," said Johnson.
Her granddaughter was admitted to the hospital, as she continued to get worse.
"Her kidney function started to decline and fell below 5% function and She had developed HUS," said Johnson.
She told WUSA9 that it's been an incredibly scary and traumatic situation for her young granddaughter.
"It was really terrifying. The most terrifying part was just trying to figure out what was wrong for days," said Johnson.
She says her granddaughter is now doing better, and they're hoping she'll be allowed to come home next week.
"She'll probably have to be tested for years down the road, to make sure there are no lasting effects," she said.
According to the VDH, E. Coli infection causes stomach cramps and diarrhea (often watery or bloody). Symptoms can also include vomiting, fever, and chills.
In severe cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys, and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
"Washing your hands thoroughly after being in the water is so important, especially before you eat. Showering before and after going into the water can really make a big difference in keeping that water clean," said Allison Balmes-John, from the Rappahannock Health District.
To prevent illness when swimming and boating in natural waters, the VDH says people should:
- Never drink untreated water, and don’t swim if skin has cuts or open wounds. Natural waters such as rivers, lakes, and oceans contain germs and contaminants, which can cause illness.
- Wash their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and eating food.
- Avoid swimming if they are vomiting or have diarrhea.
- Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water and keep pets out as well. This may indicate an algal bloom and some algae 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 & runoff from land.
- Properly dispose of human waste by discharging boat sewage at marinas with a pump-out unit or dump station.
According to the Lake Anna Civic Association, Lake Anna is a 13,000-acre reservoir in the rolling fields and forested triangle formed by the cities of Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, and Richmond.
The lake, they say, was created by Virginia Electric and Power Company, and is now known as Dominion Energy in 1972, to serve as a recreational lake and provide cooling water for the North Anna Power Station.
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