A Catholic camp for boys in Gilmanton ended a session one week early because of "a number of illnesses running rampant" among campers, a diocese spokesman said.
Ten campers had gone home and an additional 12 were sick at camp when the director of Camp Fatima ended a two-week session Friday, said Kevin Donovan. The illnesses included one confirmed case of swine flu as well as another flu strain, pinkeye, strep throat and upper respiratory infections, he said.
Most of the 276 campers went home, although some who live far away and plan to attend the next session remain, he said.
Camp Fatima is one of 10 or 12 camps that have consulted with the Department of Health and Human Services after finding influenza-like illnesses, said Chris Adamski, chief of disease control.
"By and large, we have not seen really significant numbers in any of the camps, but certainly when there's one case, it's concerning enough," she said.
The health department did not recommend closing the camp, but Donovan said the director decided to do so when the number of sick children overwhelmed the three-person nursing staff. Parents of campers in each session were notified, he said.
No such outbreaks have occurred at Camp Bernadette, the girls camp run by the Diocese of Manchester.
KAREN LANGLEY