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Two dozen children rushed to hospital following gastro outbreak at Queensland Scouts camp

James HallNCA NewsWire
Children were rushed to various hopsitals in the area.
Camera IconChildren were rushed to various hopsitals in the area. Credit: News Regional Media

A gastro outbreak has ripped through a Cub Scouts camp in Queensland, forcing more than two dozen children aged between 8 and 11 to hospital.

The week-long school holiday camp with 750 attendees on the Sunshine Coast has been cancelled while health authorities investigate the cause of the outbreak which left 25 requiring urgent treatment.

Overnight, 17 children were rushed to hospital in ambulances with the large number of campers waiting to be taken home from the Rocky Creek Scout Grounds in Landsborough.

The children were transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Caboolture Hospital and Nambour Hospital, while the remaining eight children were transported by camp organisers.

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750 kids had flocked to the popular camp.
Camera Icon750 kids had flocked to the popular camp. Credit: News Regional Media

Scouts Queensland general manager Dougal Mayor said the children who’d contracted the illness had had an “unfortunate and unexpected adventure”.

“We are asking Queensland Health to assess the situation and provide advice, and the support we have had from local staff overnight has been excellent,” he said in a statement provided to NCA NewsWire.

“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.

“Our focus now is on returning the Cub Scouts to their families across Queensland which will occur over the next 24 hours.”

Originally published as Two dozen children rushed to hospital following gastro outbreak at Queensland Scouts camp

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