Ocoee Campers Diagnosed With Flu

News out of Polk County this Tuesday -- more than a dozen campers are diagnosed with the flu -- a category that includes the H1N1 virus.

A church group near Nashville cut its summer camp at the Ocoee short -- after 15 young people who attended were diagnosed with the flu. Horns Creek Cabins is in Ocoee, but the church group is from Hendersonville.

A Goodlettsville doctor says that the church members have tested positive for Type A flu -- a broad category of viruses that include the Swine Flu. The Tennessee Department of Health is working to identify the strain of the virus.

As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 40 human cases of this strain of flu infection in the U.S. The most current information, as well as a state-by-state breakdown, can be found on the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.

Tuesday we talked with people who live in the area about the possible outbreak.  Shirley Swayne says, "I just hope that they're okay and that it doesn't spread in the area."

Shirley and her husband have a cabin on the Ocoee and were surprised by the news that the H1N1 virus may have hit so close.

Doug says, "I don't think it's gonna affect us, to me the swine flu is something people can get just like any common cold."

Which is exactly what Horn's Creek told us in a statement today.  Sutton Bacon with the Camp says, "15 campers have been treated for Type A flu, which is a common everyday flu strain."

But church members like Cliff Brown who had 2 boys get sick at camp say it was a serious outbreak.  He says, "Some of them that felt sick definitely felt bad for a few days, but to the best of my knowledge all of them that contracted it feel much better."

Brown's kids are just two of the more than 1200 that were at the camp last week.  Because of the illness the church had to not only cancel sunday services but also cut their trip short and head back early.  Brown says, "As a precuation without any recommendation that I saw decided to end camp a day early and close down Sunday services."

The Health Department says they were never contacted about what happened at the camp.  While Horn's Creek says they cleaned and disinfected since the group left, they are still open. But say they've seen no other flu-symptoms since.  Leaving those living nearby hoping this illness in their area is over.  Doug says, "As far as our safety I'm not concerned and I don't think she is either."