Resort closed for cleaning after illness outbreak

OTTERTAIL, MN — Thumper Pond Resort and Restaurant underwent a voluntary close for deep cleaning after a number of people became ill with what appears to be norovirus, according to the Detroit Lakes Tribune.

According to the story, the resort performed a deep cleaning based on guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) designed to eradicate the virus, including draining and superchlorinating the pool and water park area, cleaning bathrooms and surfaces with products effective against the virus and ensuring no employee returns to work until 72 hours after resolution of symptoms.

The MDH received a number of complaints linked to the facility from December 19 through 31, all reporting flu-like symptoms associated with norovirus, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, the story stated.

Kelly Pilgrim, who became ill after her family visited the water park, said: "Until we know more, I want Thumper Pond have an opportunity to resolve the issue. It very possibly was not even their fault; something they were exposed to from outside."

MDH spokesman Doug Schultz said the facility has been working with the department to make sure the pathogens are out of the facility, the story added.

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