19 People Treated for Illness at Laurel Academy
LAUREL, MD. – Emergency responders evaluated and transported 19 individuals from the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy on Sunday afternoon due to a series of medical calls that prompted a major response from fire officials.
What Happened:
The first responders arrived at the facility, located on Oak Hill Drive, at 2:21 p.m. Initial evaluations revealed that this was the third request for help within about an hour and a half for people showing similar symptoms.
As 15 more individuals reported experiencing minor symptoms, the situation escalated into a mass casualty response. All 19 affected people were transported to hospitals for further care.
In a precautionary measure, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, along with units from Fort Meade and Howard County, inspected the academy for any hazards. Fortunately, tests showed no signs of carbon monoxide in the building.
What’s Still Unknown:
While the exact cause of the reported illnesses has not been determined, officials suspect that the issue might be linked to food consumption, as those affected had participated in similar activities before becoming sick.
Source: Information from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.
