Cause of illness outbreak remains unknown

People who attended Mother’s Day events at Kirtland Country Club reported getting sick

Despite rumors to the contrary, the cause of an illness outbreak at the Kirtland Country Club has not yet been determined, according to Lake County General Health District Public Information Officer Dawn Cole.

It also remains unclear if a foodborne outbreak is responsible, Cole added.

Since May 16, the country club — located on Kirtland Road in Willoughby — has received reports of people complaining of sickness who attended Mother’s Day weekend events there.

The Health District is currently collecting stool samples to be shipped to the Ohio Department of Health for testing by May 23.

In addition, Lake County officials are awaiting results on food samples that were submitted to state labs May 18.

“The total number of individuals ill and number of individuals hospitalized has not yet been confirmed,” Cole said.

She added that country club management proactively reached out to the Health District for help immediately.

“(Kirtland Country Club) has even gone above and beyond in their response, hiring a cleaning company to assist with their voluntary closure of the main building over May 16, 17 and 18,” Cole said.

Health District Environmental Director Dan Lark said quickly identifying an outbreak to prevent it from spreading is key in such situations.

“Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others,” Lark added.

“Many diseases are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.”