
HALIFAX, Va. (WSET) — After the Blue Ridge Rock Festival about a month ago, the Virginia Department of Health started investigating complaints of gastrointestinal illness from festivalgoers.
Shortly after that VDH put out a survey for folks who went to the festival. It asked if they were experiencing diarrhea and stomach cramps after attending.
According to VDH, they received more than 3,000 responses and about 41% of those responded “yes” to being sick with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after the festival.
Many claimed online they got sick with giardia, which is a tiny parasite that causes GI disease. It’s found on surfaces, food, or water contaminated with feces from infected people or animals.
However, Kelsey Hollmon, foodborne disease epidemiology program manager with VDH said in a statement that their data says otherwise.
“VDH has not received any confirmation or lab reports positive for giardia related to persons who attended the festival and has been unable to confirm diagnoses in ill persons,” Hollmon said.
RELATED: Virginia Department of Health launches investigation into gastrointestinal illnesses at Blue Ridge Rock Festival
ABC13 was scheduled to speak with VDH today but they had to cancel.
When asked if festival organizers responded to the health violations found and if the festival is facing any repercussions. VDH says that some of the health violations were addressed within a day of inspection while others are still being assessed and have not been communicated to festival organizers.
ABC13 has been trying to get in contact with festival organizers for over a month since the fallout from the festival. After reaching out about VDH’s investigation, Cara Fischer with the Blue Ridge Rock Festival sent this statement via e-mail.
“Blue Ridge and VIR have been in contact with VDH. As of VDH’s last communication with us, there are still no confirmed cases,” Fischer said.
VDH says they are reviewing all of the data and the investigation is still active.