Tag: Gastrointestinal Illness

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood

February 21, 2025

Environmental Health Contacts:
Brian Stanley, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 276-415-3370
Brad Stallard, LENOWISCO Health District, 276-328-1933

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood
Any Wells Submerged Due to Flooding are at Risk

WISE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering free test kits for individuals who have residential private drinking water wells impacted by the recent flooding in Southwest Virginia. Any well submerged during the recent flooding event is likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage.

The free private well test kits are available to residents in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. To qualify for testing, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends having a well driller assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.

Once well users disinfect and flush their well, a free test kit can be requested by calling one of the following health departments:

  • Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591
  • Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979
  • Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011
  • Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621
  • Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312
  • Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585
  • Wise County Health Department – 276-328-8000

Well water impacted by flooding can have germs that lead to gastrointestinal illness. The kits will include the tools necessary to collect samples for testing for total coliform and E. coli. Test results will only indicate if the well is contaminated.

Tests must be returned Monday through Thursday to the nearest local health department location within the Cumberland Plateau or LENOWISCO health districts. Samples should be delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken.

For those who have tested their well and need assistance in understanding the test results, visit Well Informed Virginia. For more information about specific concerns regarding private wells contact your local health department or a licensed well driller.

Piedmont Health District, Town of Farmville Remind Community Members of Splash Pad Safety

July 16, 2024
Media Contact: Bri Marcum, briauna.marcum@vdh.virginia.gov or Dr. Scott Davis, sdavis@farmvilleva.com

Piedmont Health District, Town of Farmville Remind Community Members of Splash Pad Safety

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Piedmont Health District (PHD), in collaboration with the Town of Farmville, want to remind the community of safety tips as the Splash Pad, located at 1630 West Third Street, reopens today, July 16.

The town and health district offer the following safety tips for Splash Pad visitors:

  • Do not swallow the water.
  • Wash your hands, preferably with soap and water, before eating and after using the bathroom.
  • Do not use the Splash Pad if you have had vomiting or diarrhea within the past two weeks.
  • Do not use the Splash Pad if you have had any cold, flu or respiratory virus symptoms within the last 24 hours.
  • Do not use the Splash Pad if you have any open wounds, boils or other skin infections.
  • Check all swim diapers regularly and bring all children to the restroom on consistent breaks every hour.
  • No animals should be brought onto the Splash Pad.
  • All children must be supervised by an adult.

Last week, PHD began investigating reports of gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals after visiting the Splash Pad. Norovirus and Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) have been identified through laboratory testing. EAEC is a less severe type of E. coli associated with acute or persistent diarrhea in children and adults spread through the fecal-oral route and commonly found in contaminated food or water. While a source of the illness hasn’t been identified, all the individuals reported visiting the Splash Pad on a single day, June 29.

E. coli is a type of coliform bacteria, commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. Water from the Splash Pad was tested on June 26 and July 11 by the Town of Farmville, and the results were provided to PHD. The water test results showed no evidence of coliform bacteria.

“Organisms that cause disease are found anywhere that people gather, including pools and splashpads,” said Piedmont District Epidemiologist Jesse Alger, MPH, a-IPC. “We want to remind community members about the importance of following appropriate steps to help stop the spread of germs. We are grateful to the Town of Farmville for being so cooperative throughout this investigation.”

The town wants to remind people that the water comes from the town water supply, which is treated at the water treatment plant. The water treatment plant complies with all drinking water standards set by the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH). The Splash Pad has a 5,000-gallon water tank that recirculates water through a process similar to swimming pools and includes UV light disinfection, sand filtering and chlorine treatment. The gauges in the pump house of the Splash Pad provide pH levels and oxidation-reduction potential levels (ORP). In addition to monitoring these levels, a pH test is conducted at least once a day.

“The Town of Farmville has spent the last two weeks working with the manufacturer of pumps for the elements on the Splash Pad and check valve on the storage tank to make sure it is operating properly. Before reopening, the water treatment plant tested the recirculated water for bacteria, and none was found along with testing the pH level. I appreciate Dr. Maria Almond and her staff for working with the town to make sure we are safely operating the Splash Pad,” said Town Manager Scott Davis, LP. D., ICMA-CM.

The VDH does not regulate splashpads unless they are located at a hotel, campground or summer camp. However, if you or your child are feeling ill after visiting the Splash Pad or any body of water, please seek medical attention and call the health department at 434-392-3984 x 145.

For more information on splash pad safety, visit the VDH website (www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/environmental-health-services/swim-healthy/splash-pad-safety/). If you have any questions, contact the Piedmont Health District at PiedmontInfo@vdh.virginia.gov or 434-392-8187 x 137, and the Town of Farmville at sdavis@farmvilleva.com or 434-392-5686.

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Virginia Department of Health is Investigating a Cluster of Gastrointestinal Illness in the Lake Anna area over the Memorial Day weekend

June 6, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health is Investigating a Cluster of Gastrointestinal Illness
in the Lake Anna area over the Memorial Day weekend

 RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating a cluster of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses in people who were in the Lake Anna area over the Memorial Day weekend. Some of the ill people have been diagnosed with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections.

E. coli infection causes stomach cramps and diarrhea (often watery or bloody). Symptoms can also include vomiting, fever, and chills. In severe cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys, and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

VDH has received numerous reports of GI illness, mainly in children, with similar symptoms. Some hospitalizations have been reported. Clinical evaluation and treatment of patients is ongoing. All potential causes of illness, including lake water and food exposures, are being investigated.

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

While all the ill people confirm swimming or other water exposures in Lake Anna, VDH does not have enough information, at this time, to confirm that exposure to the lake, or any specific portion of the lake, is the cause of the illnesses. Water testing of the lake to evaluate present concentrations of bacteria, and to determine whether a public health risk may be ongoing, is being conducted.

The illnesses are not suspected as Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) related, as this pathogen is not associated with HABs.  Currently there is no on-going HAB event; however, there are indications of algae activity, which are typical for this time of year. A HAB Status update for Lake Anna will be available at the link above, the week of June 10.

Because the investigation is ongoing, VDH does not have enough information to support a swimming advisory; however, it does encourage caution when swimming.

“As we head to pools, lakes, and beaches to enjoy the warmer weather and spend time with our families, it is important to remember to take precautions to prevent illness,” Dr. Obasanjo said. “Showering before and after swimming, washing your hands before eating, and being sure not to drink the lake water are some of the ways to stay healthy this summer. It is also important not to swim if you have diarrhea. Children may need extra monitoring and reminders to follow these precautions.”

Germs in water can cause minor illnesses (rashes, diarrhea) or more serious illnesses that last longer than vacation!

To prevent illness when swimming and boating in natural waters, people should:

  • Never drink untreated water, and don’t swim if skin has cuts or open wounds. Natural waters such as rivers, lakes, and oceans contain germs and contaminants, which can cause illness.
  • Wash their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing and eating food.
  • Avoid swimming near storm drains (pipes that drain polluted water from streets) along into natural waters.
  • Avoid swimming if they are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Not go in water if there is a green film on the water and keep pets out as well. This film may indicate an algal bloom and some algae produce toxins that can make people sick.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Avoid swimming for three days after a heavy rain. Germs can come from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water & runoff from land.
  • Properly dispose of human waste by discharging boat sewage at marinas with a pump-out unit or dump station.

If you were in the Lake Anna area on Memorial Day weekend or since and experienced gastrointestinal illness (such as stomach cramps and diarrhea), please contact your local health department and seek medical care if you are still experiencing symptoms.

VDH will provide updates as more information becomes available. To protect patient privacy, further details on ill individuals will not be shared.

Visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com for more healthy and safe swimming tips.

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