Metro

'Pump It Up!'

Tamarack's motto for using sanitizer is only part of how camp
helps reduce swine flu cases.

B

a minor setback, Zoe is having the best
summer ever."

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

Senior Writer

Prevention And Watchful Eye
eing both proactive and continu- ‘6. -
"We
have been extremely diligent since we
ously diligent appear to have paid ;... . : . 1
e
heard
about the flu months ago',' Geller said.
off at Oakland County-based
2,
Even
before the first day of camp, par-
Tamarack Camps where fewer cases of
ents
were
given information to share with
swine flu have been reported than at many
their
children
about how to help lessen the
other Jewish camps nationwide.
spread
of
the
virus.
On dropoff day, the
Four Tamarack campers are among the
temperatures
of
all
campers
were taken
489 confirmed and probable cases identi-
before
boarding
the
bus
to
camp.
One child
fied in Michigan by the Centers for Disease
with
a
fever
and
another
with
a
stomach
Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta,
virus were sent home, but joined the group
as of their n-iost recent weekly update on
when they were well. Neither was diag-
July 10.
nosed with swine flu, reported to cause a
Camps across the country are report-
wide
range of flu-like symptoms, includ-
ing outbreaks of the novel influenza A
ing
fever,
cough, sore throat, body aches,
(H1N1) virus. Nine cases in total have been
headache,
chills and fatigue and in some,
confirmed at two Jewish camps in Texas.
nausea,
vomiting
and/or diarrhea.
At Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga., roughly
Tamarack campers and counselors "pump it up" with hand sanitizer at camp.
Staff
also
was
screened
for signs of the
100 cases of flu-like symptoms have been
flu,
briefed
on
how
to
reduce
the spread
reported, with most quickly recovering and
of
the
illness
and
instructed
to
report
ill
campers
to the
Tamarack's
executive
director.
camp operating normally.
clinic.
In that village — consisting of fourth- and fifth-grade
Campers at Camp Sabra in Missouri were sent home
Michelle Sider's15-year-old son, Josh, is on Tamarack's
girls — temperatures of campers and staff are taken twice
while camp closed for a seven-day disinfection following
Western
trip. "I was pleased with the measures that camp
daily:
"If
a
child
has
a
fever
of
100
degrees
or
higher
and
a late June outbreak of swine flu.
no clear bacterial cause for the fever, he or she is being sent took to try and prevent the spread of illness," said Sider, of
Camp Newman-Swig, a Union for
Huntington Woods. "Considering the unbelievably close
home," Geller said. "They may return to camp after being
Reform Judaism camp in Santa Rosa,
fever free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medi- quarters that the teens are in on the bus and in tents, I am
Calif., delayed the start of the camping
really glad they are taking health issues seriously"
cation, be symptom free and feeling well."
season because 25 staff members exhib-
"I am glad camp is being so careful," said Andi
One of the four campers to contract the swine flu was
ited flu-like symptoms and were quar-
Rothenberg of West Bloomfield.
9-year-old Zoe Zdrojewski of Farmington Hills.
antined for seven days. Another Reform
Her 19-year-old son, Ben, is a counselor in Specialty
"I was very impressed with the way the entire staff at
camp, Camp Coleman in Cleveland,
Village at Camp Maas. In addition to the usual staff pre-
Tamarack handled the situation," said Zoe's mother, Alisa.
Ga., canceled its first session after 45
camp orientation, she said this year the swine flu was a
"After one child in Zoe's cabin was diagnosed with the flu
of 160 staff members reported flu and
Jonah Geller
major topic.
and sent home, the camp followed proper protocol and
flu-like symptoms. "The protocols we
Camp doctors and nurses have instituted stringent
took the kids' temperatures at breakfast and dinner every
have for isolation have actually worked," said Rabbi Elliott
hand-washing and hygiene procedures, and are prepared
day That is how they found out that Zoe was sick. She felt
Kleinman, chief program officer for the New York-based
to quickly identify cases and isolate any affected individu-
good but was running a fever."
Union for Reform Judaism.
als in an effort to both care for those who are sick and help
Zoe went home and stayed until she was well again.
At Tamarack's Camp Mass, where most campers come
prevent the flu from spreading.
"When I took her back to camp, the staff welcomed her
from cities within easy driving distance of the camp, those
"Of the 614 kids we are serving and 250 staff members
with open arms',' Zdrojewski said. "They took her directly
who became ill were not isolated, but were sent home.
"All of the cases of the flu were campers in the Fishman to the clinic to make sure [Tamarack's health director]
Pump It Up! on page A14
Roberta Blumberg granted her proper clearance. Despite
Village at Camp Maas in Ortonville," said Jonah Geller,

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention Web site indicates that swine flu

is thought to be spread through coughs and

sneezes and by touching infected objects and

then touching the nose or mouth.

Al2

The CDC suggest taking the following precautions to
lessen the spread of the virus:
• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing.
• Dispose of used tissues.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially
after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand
cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth which
spreads germs.

• Try to avoid close contact with individuals
who are sick.
• Those sick with a flu-like illness should stay home
for seven days after symptoms begin or until they
are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever
is longer.
• Follow public-health advice regarding school
closures, avoiding crowds and other social
distancing measures.