Dozens of children were rushed to hospital after a suspected gastro outbreak at a major scout camp being held on the Sunshine Coast.
Scouts Queensland has confirmed 25 children, aged eight to 11, taking part in the week-long camp of 750 scouts at Landsborough suffered a “gastric attack”.
The viral outbreak, which a source told Sunshine Coast News was thought could be norovirus, occurred at the Cuboree World Tour 2021 which is the scouts’ biggest event.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
On Wednesday afternoon, Scouts Queensland general manager Dougal Mayor said the statewide camp would end a day early after advice from Queensland Health.
Mr Mayor said volunteer leaders were arranging the necessary transport to ensure all children travelled safely home.
“The welfare of our Cub Scouts and volunteers remains our highest priority and we are grateful for the assistance and advice received from Queensland Health,” he said.
“Our focus now is on returning the Cub Scouts to their families across Queensland which will occur over the next 24 hours.”
The event has its own medical centre run by health professionals, but Mr Mayor said it was considered prudent to take the cub scouts to hospital.
Those released were being cared for at local scout halls, rather than being returned to camp.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cuboree continued with a limited program while health and environmental checks were undertaken in the morning.
“Scouting has decades of experience in running large events for young people but when an incident like this happens, we turn to the experts,” Mr Mayor said.
“The cubs affected by this incident have had an unfortunate and unexpected adventure.
“Hospital staff were very complimentary about the maturity and behaviour of the cub scouts who attended last night, and said they were a pleasure to care for.
“Back at camp, the remaining cubs are happy, busy and living the camping life as normal.
“They have had their breakfast and our volunteer leader will now provide limited activities that minimise movement within the camp.”
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A spokesperson for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service said a team of clinicians and environmental health officers were sent to the camp to assess attendees and implement infection-control measures.
“The source of the suspected gastro outbreak is still unknown,” the hospital spokesperson said.
The patients have been tested for COVID-19 and all are negative to date.
The spokesperson said patients had been taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Caboolture Hospital and Nambour Hospital.
The Cuboree website says the event is the “biggest and most exciting event that a cub scout can go on”.
“It’s a Queensland event open to all cub scouts that are nine or older across the state and often attracts attendance from other states.”
This year’s theme was: World Tour, a chance for scouts to “travel around the world in just six days from the comfort of Queensland”.
