Chiro Camp Cut Short After 20 Belgian Youths Fall Ill

A summer camp for Chiro Drongen in Zutendaal, Belgium, was cut short after approximately 20 members became ill. The affected children and leaders suffered from symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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We stayed calm, but it was quite a shock for the children with all the emergency services here.

Emergency services, including an ambulance and police, were called to the scene during the night. "We stayed calm, but it was quite a shock for the children with all the emergency services here," said Aiko Vermeire, a leader from Chiro Drongen.

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We don't know the exact cause of the illness at this moment.

Initial investigations ruled out food poisoning and salmonella as the cause. "We don't know the exact cause of the illness at this moment," stated Bart Verstappen, camp administrator for the municipality of Zutendaal. He suggested that the heat might have played a role.

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We want to avoid any new infections.

Those who fell ill were advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids. The Chiro organization decided to end the camp to prevent further infections. "We want to avoid any new infections," Vermeire explained. Parents were informed and came to pick up their children. Vermeire noted that the camp was fortunate to be in its final days, having already had a "nice camp" despite the early end.

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It is a shame, but we were lucky that our camp was only going to last two more days. Fortunately, it didn't happen at the beginning of the camp. Now we've still had a nice camp.