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Virginia Dept. of Health releases results of water sample testing after outbreak

​On Friday, VDH released new findings regarding the collection of water samples from six locations at Lake Anna.

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) released new information Friday after several people who visited the Lake Anna area became ill

The visits happened on or around Memorial Day weekend. So far, 25 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cases have been confirmed, with more than 75% of those cases being in children and patients under the age of 18. STEC is known to progress to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which officials say can be very serious. 

As of Friday, five HUS cases have been confirmed, all of which are in children who needed to be hospitalized.  

On Friday, VDH released new findings regarding the collection of water samples from six locations at Lake Anna. In partnership with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the first samples were collected on June 11. The samples were analyzed and officials say the results indicate all fecal bacteria concentrations were well below a public health level of concern.

Additionally, a map of the six sampled areas and the test results is available on the VDH outbreak website also launched Friday. VDH officials will provide future updates on the outbreak website on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  

The investigation is ongoing and more samples will be collected on June 17, according to VDH. 

"No single cause of the outbreak has been identified, and it is possible we might not be able to identify the source," the VDH website reads. "There is no indication that contaminated food was the source of the outbreak." 

Health officials say environmental pollution from heavy rains, livestock, failing septic systems, boating discharge, and other swimmers are potential sources of illness when swimming in natural waters. 

If you visited Lake Anna between May 24 and May 27 and experienced stomach cramps and diarrhea, contact your local health department and seek medical attention. 

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.

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