By Yaffi Spodek
Issue of June 26, 2009 / 4 Tammuz 5769
Forget bug bites and poison ivy — this season, it’s the spread of the H1N1 ‘swine flu’ virus that many camps are trying to tackle. More so than the classroom, camp conditions may be a prime breeding ground for the spread of swine flu, as campers often live in close, communal quarters, sharing bunk beds, bathrooms, food and, inevitably, germs. As schools let out and summer camps prepare for an influx of campers and staff, precautionary measures are being taken to keep everyone as healthy as possible.
At Camp Morasha in Lakewood, Pa — home to over 500 campers, including close to 300 from Long Island — the directors and nurses are taking no chances as they gear up for opening day, scheduled for June 29.
In a letter sent out last week, parents and staff were notified of a new,
stricter protocol regarding Morasha’s health policy for the summer.
“In coordination with the Pennsylvania and Wayne County Health
Departments and in accordance with the CDC (Centers for Disease
Control) recommendations, our camp medical staff requires that any
staff member or camper who has been diagnosed with the flu, or has
exhibited flu-like symptoms within the 48 hours prior to coming to
camp, must remain at home,” the letter said. “The camper or staff
member may come to camp after all symptoms have been resolved for 48
hours and are free of any fever-reducing medication for a full 48-hour
period.”
Flu-like symptoms, according to the letter, include fever of 100
degrees or higher, sore throat, nausea and/or vomiting, headache,
cough, diarrhea and runny or stuffed nose. Any staff member or camper
who exhibits these symptoms once they are in camp will be swabbed for
the influenza-A virus. If they test positive they will be sent home
until symptom and fever-free and off any fever-reducing medication.
“We understand that this may be a disappointing experience and an
inconvenience for you,” the letter continued. “However, we must
consider the health and safety of the entire camp community. It is
much better to have a delayed start for a camper or staff member than
to risk introducing an easily transmittable illness to the camp
population.”
Morasha has also installed washing stations and Purell dispensers in
key locations around the campus to keep germs at bay, specifically in
the camp kitchen, where waiters will wear gloves and adhere to even
stricter sanitary practices than usual. As another precaution, staff
members will be trained during orientation to learn about the symptoms
of the flu so that campers who contract it can be properly isolated to
prevent spread.
The policy outlined in the letter was developed by Morasha’s head
nurse, Karen Perl, who consulted with several doctors and nurses from
other sleep away camps, many of which sent out similar health alerts.
Camp Lavi, which also hosts a large contingent of campers from the
Five Towns area, sent a letter last week as well. Like Morasha, it is
adhering to recommendations from the Pennsylvania health department,
requiring sick campers to remain at home, and mandating that those who
become sick will be sent home, if necessary.
“We are working closely with our medical and professional staff to
minimize the chance of any viral illness spreading in camp,” the Camp
Lavi letter read. “As you know, the measures that are being put in
place will minimize the potential of exposure, but cannot completely
eliminate the risk.”
Lavi’s letter noted that the best way to limit the spread of any
virus is by washing hands several times a day, leading the camp to
install alcohol free hand sanitizer dispensers in each bunk as well as
near the dining room, canteen and other heavily populated areas in the
camp. Their staff will also be trained to recognize flu symptoms and
prevent the spread as much as possible.
Sleep away camps are not alone in trying to combat this critical
health issue. HALB’s Avnet Day Camp is also on a heightened health
alert, according to Director Jack Tarzik.
“There’s a Department of Health meeting on Tuesday that our health
directors will attend and based on whatever information we get on
Tuesday, we will be following up accordingly,” he told The Jewish
Star. “We also have a staff presentation on Wednesday and our health
director will be addressing the staff in terms of what they need to be
on the lookout for — what procedures to be following in camp, as
preventative measures, and of course we will be communicating with
parents should there be any situation that needs to be addressed.”
In an attempt to address this timely health concern, the Foundation
for Jewish Camps organized four conference calls on June 17 and 18, to
convene a “virtual table of Jewish camp professionals to discuss,
network and share what is taking place to campers and staff with
flu-like symptoms in the camp setting,” according to their recent
newsletter. The letter also included a suggested list of ideas gleaned
from the conference call, to help camps formulate policies and
protocol regarding sick campers and staff members.
However, these precautionary measures may not have been implemented
in time to help some camps avoid a flu outbreak. Just days into the
first summer session of Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia, dozens of campers
came down with the flu last week, though it was unknown if it was the
H1N1 strain of the virus. A similar outbreak occurred at Camp Daniel
Boone in North Carolina, where dozens of boy scouts came down with the
flu two weeks ago, and two kids tested positive for H1N1.
On June 16, Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella
Carney announced the county’s first death –– a woman with confirmed
H1N1 Influenza A virus, who recently gave birth. To date, Nassau
County has had 74 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.
According to the Nassau health department, the same groups at risk
for seasonal flu-related complications are considered to be at risk
for H1N1 Influenza A virus-related complications. These high-risk
groups include children under five years old, pregnant women,
residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, adults
aged 65 and over, and people with underlying medical conditions such
as asthma, diabetes, hematological disorders, metabolic disorders, and
immuno-suppression.
Dr. Carney advises individuals to protect themselves by washing hands
often, covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing, avoiding
contact with eyes, nose or mouth, avoiding close contact with sick
people, and staying home when sick.