Tuesday - Feb 17, 2009
Champaign, IL - Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD)'s County Health Department Sanitarians are currently collaborating with Lincoln's Challenge Academy (LCA), Illinois National Guard, and officials and representatives of the food service contractor in a detailed disinfecting of the LCA kitchen. Although the incident is still under investigation, CUPHD officials believe that the likely pathogen responsible for the illness is a virus - not food poisoning.
Lab results of food and patient specimens are expected later this week. These lab results are expected to identify the pathogen to allow for better treatment and eradication.
CUPHD expects the disinfecting of the LCA kitchen to be completed by tomorrow, and plan to do a final inspection tomorrow to re-open the kitchen. It is unknown whether the kitchen will be open in time to feed the cadets lunch, but should be operational for dinner.
Read the full press relase. (PDF)