Oak Harbor cheerleaders among the ill

Five Oak Harbor High School cheerleaders and several Oak Harbor parents and spectators are among the 192 who reported being ill after attending the Feb. 4 Washington State High School Cheerleading Championships in Everett.

The Washington State Health Department is investigating the incident, and the cause and specific disease are still unknown.

Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, and while most people have recovered, 30 attendees have reported seeking medical treatment.

Donn Moyer, a DOH spokesman, said every member of the 52 squads of high school cheerleading and dance teams that participated in last Saturday’s competition is being surveyed to find out if they became sick.

Oak Harbor cheer coach Robin Gohn received the questionnaire and forwarded it to all of her athletes and anyone else she knows who attended the event.

As of Friday morning, Gohn said she knew of five Oak Harbor cheer  participants and a number of others who attended who became sick. None of the coaches have become ill, she said.

According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, sponsors of the event, more than 3,000 people attended, including 1,000 competitors.

Comcast Arena, where the event took place, was cleaned Wednesday.

“Workers are wiping down every single surface in the arena with a bleach solution: restrooms, seats, door handles --- everything,” said Kim Bedier, general manager of the arena.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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