FLORIDA 4-H CAMP CLOVERLEAF

STATEMENT

Updated 5 p.m.

June 25, 2018

Contact:

Beverly James, (352) 273-3566 (office), (386) 279-2831 (cell), beverlymjames@ufl.edu
Samantha Grenrock, (352) 294-3307 (office), 949-735-1076 (cell), grenrosa@ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. —

The Florida Department of Health in Highlands County has determined that norovirus was the cause of 33 children and staff becoming ill on June 21. The children, ages 8 to 13, were attending UF/IFAS Extension Florida 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, Florida.

The camp’s on-site medical personnel and camp staff assessed the campers and called local emergency responders. Affected campers were taken to two hospitals for observation. All patients have been discharged.

There are no scheduled camps until July 2. In the meantime, the professional cleaning firm ServPro is thoroughly disinfecting the facilities. Camp Cloverleaf will re-open pending review by UF/IFAS Extension and approval by the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County.

4-H Camp Cloverleaf is maintained and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure the health and safety of campers. All camp staff are trained to respond to medical emergencies, and they are certified in first aid and CPR. The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H youth development program is cooperating with the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County to determine the cause of the illness and necessary steps to prevent future occurrences.

The health and safety of all campers is the primary concern of UF/IFAS Extension staff.

-30-

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS (Twitter) and @UFIFASNews (Facebook).