The Master’s College’s (TMC) summer basketball camp took an unfortunate turn when many of the boys involved became ill with severe flu-like symptoms. Though the college is taking precautions, there is no evidence that there is cause for alarm.
“We took precautions by canceling the remainder of the camp and notifying all the parents,” said Dr. Mark Tatlock, Executive Vice President of TMC. He added that, according to the school’s protocol with illnesses on campus, TMC contacted the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
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The illness investigation is ongoing and there will be on-site visits by the L.A. County Department of Public Health, according to Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, Director of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention for the L.A. County Department of Public Health
“We have provided the camp with recommendations for cleaning,” said Dr. Kim-Farley, “If the cleaning instructions are completed and any other on-site inspection issues resolved, there would be no reason for anyone to not attend the camp.”
A mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said that her 6 and 8-year-old sons, who both participated in the basketball camp, became ill yesterday afternoon. After her 6-year-old vomited excessively for over 3 hours, she took her son to urgent care. He was given intravenous therapy, the doctor believed his illness to be a result of a virus, and the boy was sent home to recover.
She was reluctant to share her story, saying “I don’t want to give the school a bad rap” and that she was pleased with the program.
A father, who wished to remain anonymous, said that his 9-year-old son became ill in the evening after being at the camp. He said he had heard concerns about a contaminated water jug, but that his son had not drank from a community water source.
“We’re monitoring the situation throughout the day,” Tatlock added, when asked what the college’s plan is moving forward.
This camp is one of 15, week-long sports and recreation camps offered by the college throughout the summer. Currently, none of the future camps are being cancelled as a result of the illnesses.
Tatlock said that the camp organizers are currently discussing refunding fees to the families.