A public health investigation is underway after a significant number of students fell ill during a school camp in Tasmania’s north-west last week.
The incident occurred at Camp Clayton, just outside Ulverstone, last Tuesday.
The exact number of students affected has not been confirmed, however 7 Tasmania News reports approximately two-thirds of those attending the camp showed symptoms, with some students and staff requiring hospital visits, though none were admitted.
Launceston’s St Patrick’s College has confirmed that several of its Year 7 students exhibited ‘gastro-like’ symptoms.
Parents were reportedly called to collect students following the outbreak after it was discovered early the next morning.
In response, Camp Clayton was temporarily closed and all staff were sent home for 48 hours to manage the outbreak.
The outbreak has now been fully contained and the camp has since reopened.
A Camp Clayton spokesperson told 7 Tasmania News it was an ‘unprecedented event’.
“The health and safety of guests and staff is paramount and we will continue to work with the health authorities to ensure safety of all and establish a possible cause,” they said.
