Health officials in Virginia are investigating a spate of illnesses reported among nearly two dozen individuals, primarily children, who visited Lake Anna over Memorial Day weekend. Several of those affected have been hospitalized with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections and gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on June 7.

Lake Anna Visitors Fall Ill

Lake Anna, a popular freshwater inland reservoir located in Louisa and Spotsylvania counties, spans approximately 13,000 acres and is situated just over 70 miles south of Washington, D.C. During the Memorial Day weekend, many families visited the lake, which has now become the focal point of a public health investigation.

Fauquier County resident Judy Inglett reported that her 15-year-old daughter developed severe GI symptoms after visiting the lake. The teenager has since undergone blood transfusions and multiple rounds of dialysis due to her condition. “She’s going through all these things that never in a million years would I have imagined that my daughter would be dealing with,” Inglett told WRC-TV. “There’s something in the water that’s making all these kids sick.”

Understanding E. coli Infections

E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, food, and the intestines of people and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, certain strains can cause severe illness, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses, and pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that contaminated water, food, or contact with fecal matter can spread harmful strains of E. coli.

In this outbreak, health officials are conducting clinical evaluations and treatments for the affected individuals while investigating potential sources of contamination, including the lake water and food consumed by the visitors.

Preventative Measures and Ongoing Investigation

As of the latest update, no swimming advisories have been issued for Lake Anna, but the VDH is conducting further tests on the lake water to assess the public health risk. The health department encourages visitors to exercise caution when swimming in the lake.

“We hope that those hospitalized continue to recover and can return home to their families soon,” said Olugbenga Obasanjo, Rappahannock Health District Health Director, in the press release. “This is an ongoing investigation with the health department, and we will likely continue to learn about the situation in the coming days.”

To prevent illness when swimming or boating in natural waters, the VDH offers several recommendations:

• Never drink untreated water.
• Do not swim with cuts or open wounds.
• Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food.
• Avoid swimming near storm drains.
• Avoid swimming if you are ill.
• Do not enter water with a green film on the surface.
• Shower after swimming.
• Avoid swimming for three days after heavy rainfall.
• Properly dispose of human waste.

As the investigation continues, health officials urge the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety when enjoying natural water bodies.