A single case of E. coli has been confirmed at Tyler Hill Camp in Pennsylvania, days after a gastrointestinal outbreak sickened numerous campers. Camp directors informed parents that the E. coli strain identified was transmitted through person-to-person contact and is not believed to be connected to the camp's food or water supply, according to emails reviewed by The Post.
Camp officials reported that the affected camper had largely recovered before test results were available and that antibiotics were not recommended. The case was reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This disclosure follows reports from parents that dozens of campers experienced gastrointestinal distress, overwhelming the camp's infirmary.
Some campers were sent home during the illness spread, a situation parents claim occurs annually, with slow communication from camp leadership. Camp officials disputed this, stating that a similar stomach virus outbreak occurred in 2012 and that the current bug had been circulating in the New York region for over two months prior to the camp's opening.
Conflicting accounts exist regarding the number of campers sent home. One parent alleged that approximately a quarter of campers were sent home due to a lack of space for sick children. The camp disputed this, stating that fewer than 10% of campers left, and many departed due to parental anxiety rather than illness.
Social media posts from camp alumni indicated that some campers whose parents were vacationing in Europe had nowhere to go and were housed by friends or alumni. Camp officials denied these claims, stating that no camper left without a place to stay.
In response to the outbreak, the camp implemented increased cleaning and disinfection protocols, reinforced handwashing, moved meals outdoors when possible, and switched to disposable dining products. Camp officials also stated that drinking water is tested daily in-house and weekly by an accredited laboratory. However, some parents allege that water is not tested during the summer and that cleaning staff are not professionals.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health could not confirm details about an investigation into the E. coli case or verify the on-site water testing procedures at the time of reporting.
Camp officials informed parents that the number of campers reporting symptoms had been decreasing significantly. Separately, emails reviewed by The Post show that camp officials warned alumni about the outbreak only hours before an Alumni Day event. Attendees were advised to avoid entering bunks or the health center and to leave promptly after the Hall of Fame ceremony. Some parents and alumni questioned the timing of the warning, given that campers had been sick for several days prior.
Camp officials defended the notification, stating it was sent with ample time for attendees to change their plans.