South Florida Kids Among Those Sick From Mystery Illness At Florida Summer Camp

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LAKE PLACID (CBSMiami) — Dozens of children and three adults at a Florida summer camp were hospitalized after getting mysteriously sick and nobody knows the cause of the illness.

It happened at the UF/IFAS Extension Florida 4H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, which is northwest of Lake Okeechobee in central Florida.

Authorities say 33 children and 3 adults were hospitalized. Most of them suffering from nausea and vomiting.

It started Wednesday with kids getting sick. But, emergency crews knew this was bad when a child passed out Thursday.

Children from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are among those being treated.

According to camp officials who released a statement Friday, "The camp's on-site medical personnel and camp staff assessed the campers and called local emergency responders. Affected campers were taken to the hospital for observation. The remaining 87 campers who were not taken ill will be returning home today, as they normally would have on this final day of the camp. The camp will be thoroughly disinfected in anticipation of a new group of campers arriving on Monday, June 25."

None of the children is in serious condition.

The statement from camp authorities also read, "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 Highlands County Department of Health 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, and we hope that those experiencing discomfort will quickly return to good health."