Virginia health officials are investigating a spike in reported cases of severe gastrointestinal illness among children who were at a popular lake over Memorial Day weekend, sending several of them to the hospital.
According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), some people who have been in the waters of Lake Anna have been diagnosed with E. coli infection, which causes stomach cramps and diarrhea, but also includes vomiting, fever and chills, and in severe cases can damage organs such as the kidneys.
Most E. coli bacteria are harmless, but some can cause illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Fauquier County mother Judy Inglett said her 15-year-old daughter developed symptoms after returning from Lake Anna and has undergone at least two rounds of dialysis since being hospitalized.
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An aerial photo shows Dominion Energy’s North Anna Generating Station along the shoreline of Lake Anna in Mineral, Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare,” Inglett said. Fox 10 News“She left that Friday, that weekend, and she was fine. And now she’s kind of fighting for her life.”
Inglett said her daughter had been diagnosed with hemolytic uraemic syndrome, a rare but serious disease that affects the kidneys and blood clotting function of those infected.
“She’s in kidney failure. I wouldn’t even let my dog swim in that lake. There’s definitely something going on. It’s not safe,” Inglett told the outlet.
Clinical evaluation and treatment of the patient is ongoing, VDH said in a press release last week.
The department said it is investigating all potential causes of the illness, including exposure to lake water or food. Lake Anna is one of Virginia’s largest freshwater inland reservoirs, covering an area of 13,000 acres and located 72 miles south of Washington, DC.
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Swimming, fishing and boating are permitted on the lake. (Ben Hastie/MediaNews Group/ReadingEagle via Getty Images)
“While we acknowledge that all of the individuals who became ill have swam in Lake Anna or had other water contact, VDH does not currently have enough information to say with certainty that exposure to the lake or specific parts of the lake is the cause of their illnesses,” a VDH press release reads. “Water quality testing of the lake is being conducted to evaluate current bacterial concentrations and determine if there is an ongoing public health risk.”
The Department of Health said the illnesses are not believed to be HAB-related because the pathogen is not associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs). Fox News Digital has reached out to the department for an update.
“Something is definitely going on. It’s not safe.”
Another parent, Nate Heiner, told Fox 10 News that his 8-year-old twins were sent to Children’s National Hospital, where his daughter received a blood and platelet transfusion.
Heiner also said he believes the symptoms were caused by a visit to the lake over Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s horrifying that an eight-year-old could go from having a fun day at the lake to needing dialysis. It’s something you just can’t imagine as a parent,” he told the outlet.
Swimming, fishing and boating are permitted at the reservoir, which spans Louisa, Spotsylvania and Orange counties, according to the Virginia State Parks Service.
Some nearby residents told Fox 10 News they weren’t surprised to learn the lake may be polluted because many people park their boats on the sandbar and some use the water when they need to use the toilet.
VDH said it doesn’t have enough information to support a swimming advisory but urges people to use caution when swimming.
E. coli O157:H7 strain seen under a microscope. (Janice Haney Carr/CDC via The Associated Press, File)
“As you head to pools, lakes and beaches to enjoy the warm weather and spend time with your family, it is important to remember the precautions you can take to avoid getting sick,” said Dr. Olugbenga O. Obasanjo, Health Officer for the Rappahannock Health District.
“Showering before and after swimming, washing your hands before eating and not drinking lake water are some ways to stay healthy this summer.”
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“It’s also important not to swim if you have diarrhea. Children may need extra supervision and reminders to follow these precautions. Bacteria in the water can cause minor illnesses (rash, diarrhea) or more serious illnesses that can last longer than your holiday.”
