MONTGOMERY-Summer camps provide a great opportunity for children and teens alike to make lasting friendships, while being physically active and developing life-long skills. Although the goal of summer camp is to keep your children healthy and safe, it is not unlike school or daycare settings where children and staff can become sick if proper handwashing is not practiced. Often these camps provide children with the opportunity to participate in nature and water activities, which expose children to germs that thrive in these environments.
Within the past two weeks, three separate outbreaks at summer camps have been reported. The most common ways in which illnesses can spread in these settings include food, water, animals, person-to-person, mosquitoes and ticks. These outbreaks are still under investigation, but diarrhea or vomiting has been reported as the primary symptom.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) would like to provide some basic control measures to campers and staff alike in these types of settings.
“Parents, it is recommended that you keep your child home if he or she has been sick in the two weeks prior to them attending any type of summer camp,” Epidemiologist Amanda Ingram said.
When sending your child to summer camp, think about packing some basic supplies that will give him or her a head start at preventing illness including:
· Disinfecting wipes that contain bleach
· Insect repellents that contain 20 percent or more DEET
· Light-colored clothing.
Finally, parents and staff should stress the importance of washing hands, rather than using hand sanitizers, as those products are not effective against illnesses caused by viruses (such as influenza and norovirus). In the event soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol to reduce the number of germs on hands.
To report an outbreak, please contact your local health department or your ADPH district investigator.
For camp safety information, visit:
http://www.
Media Release/ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH/Amanda Ingram
