On December 30, 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) foodborne illness hotline received a report from a fitness center camp near Loretto, Minnesota regarding several complaints of illness following a 2-day youth camping event held on December 28 and 29. MDH notified the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD) epidemiology and environmental health units, and an investigation was initiated.

HSPHD epidemiologists interviewed youth campers, camp counselors, camp staff, and members of a church group who were also at the camp. HSPHD sanitarians interviewed food workers and other camp employees. Thirty-one individuals were interviewed. Eighteen met the case definition. Cases reported eating a variety of foods while at camp. No individual food items were statistically associated with illness. Six camp employees were interviewed. Three employees reported recent gastrointestinal illness and were excluded from food handling for 72 hours after their last symptom resolved. None reported being symptomatic at the camp; however a cook reported having diarrhea on December 26 and 27.

HSPHD sanitarians noted overall compliance with food code requirements. The vehicle of transmission and source of contamination were not identified. However, multiple ill employees were identified, suggesting illness transmission among workers at the camp.