AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by NSW Health to find out why 55 children and their teachers became violently ill with nausea, vomiting, dehydration and diarrhoea during a three-day stay at the Borambola Sport and Recreation Centre.

Eleven ambulances from across the region and medical staff from Wagga Base Hospital were called to the centre about 1am yesterday after a number of children presented with a mystery illness.

The situation turned into a major incident in the eyes of health authorities, prompting an investigation by NSW Health, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) Public Health Unit and an environmental health officer.

The centre was locked down in a bid to stop the illness spreading and effectively manage treatment, according to MLHD director of nursing Irene Hing.

“The skills and efforts of our staff in containing this outbreak and caring for a large number of children and adults is to be commended,” she said.

Hospital staff were also praised by paramedics from NSW Ambulance at the scene.

Paramedic Andrew Long, a relieving supervisor at the centre, said a hospital doctor and nurse were quick in establishing a triage zone for patients. While students were sent home around 7.30am, investigations were still continuing to pinpoint the cause. NSW Health believe it may be the gastroenteritis virus, not food poisoning.

The NSW Food Authority has not been called in. Students from St Joseph’s Primary School Culcairn, St Mary’s School Young and Keiwa Valley Primary School south of Wodonga were all affected.

Bede Hart, school consultant for southern schools for the Catholic Schools Office, said Culcairn students were picked up by their families in the morning and were recovering well at their homes.

“It is just an unfortunate thing to happen, which no one can control,” he said.

“The parents have been very supportive and helpful given the situation.” The outbreak has caused much distress for Borambola centre manager Peter Santin.

“Obviously we are very upset that is has happened at our centre, but I am pleased to report that our staff, working closely with the schools, swung into action to ensure all the affected kids and teachers received prompt medical treatment,” he said.

“The children and teachers have all been real troopers and I sincerely thank the medical team who came out to treat the patients.”

At the advice of NSW Health, staff have undertaken a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting of the centre.