Some Burlington County Lakes Closed After Campers, Staffers Fall Ill

By Cleve Bryan

MEDFORD, N.J., (CBS) -- Some lakes in Burlington County, New Jersey are closed after campers and staffers came down with flu-like symptoms.

Testing on the water is now being performed by the County Department of Health.

As CBS 3 Eyewitness News New Jersey Reporter Cleve Bryan reports, the lakes in Medford are used by three camps.

Campers told to stay out of the water at the YMCA's Camp Ockanickon in Medford.

"Got a notice last night, got a text last night that they had to cancel family night last night because of the bacteria in the water," said a grandparent of a camper.

Camp officials say that about a half a dozen children and adults complained of feeling sick to their stomachs starting late last weekend. Not sure of the cause, they aren't letting anyone in the lakes on property and notified the Burlington County Health Department.

"Wondering what she could have potentially contracted in the water if they're concerned about something with the lake and what I should be looking for as far as her being ill or anything," said a parent of a camper.

This time of year the most common health concern for lake swimming is fecal caliform, bacteria that often comes from goose and other animal droppings.

"Fecal caliform is a big concern because that can enter the body, especially when you drink the water and as a child you will accidently drink the water, it's almost a given, and you will ingest that and that could potentially lead to diarrhea," said Camden County Health Liaison Carmen Rodriguez.

Camp officials say they can't be certain that the stomach illnesses were caused by bacteria in the lakes, but they say they won't reopen the waterfront activities until they get clean test results with the water quality.

"Some places don't test the water, they test the water here and they keep track of it so they're on top of it," said a parent of a camper.

Parents CBS 3 Eyewitness News met with say they aren't overly concerned, but are anxious to hear the results of the water tests.