By Graeme Moore
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 7:15 p.m.
Read more: Local, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Congressman Henry Brown, Representative Tracy Edge, Norovirus, Thom Berry, DHEC, Stomach Virus, Gastrointestinal
NewsChannel 15 has learned more than a dozen people fell ill with gastrointestinal problems after attending a barbeque dinner honoring Rep. Henry Brown.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control confirms at least eleven "similar" cases among people who ate at this past Thursday's event, though NewsChannel 15 has received higher reports.
Thom Berry with DHEC said the main symptom is diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Berry added that health regulators are looking into the cases.
Berry said the virus appears to be mild, and he said no one has been hospitalized. The department is working to gather stool samples to find out what sort of illness it may be.
Berry said there are two options -- the first being a norovirus which is a highly contagious, but usually mild, stomach bug. The second option, according to Berry, is that the illness may have come from the food.
NewsChannel 15 has been unable to confirm who catered the event, but a source says it's a company from Conway that may not have had the proper catering licenses and/or permits.
DHEC said it's not necessary for people to contact their offices. Health officials said they just wanted people to be aware of the problem.
The event was held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and was a thank you party given in honor of Congressman Henry Brown. Brown did not sponsor the event, and it wasn't entirely clear who all sponsored it.
A spokesman for Brown says state Representative Tracy Edge was instrumental in planning the event, and Brad Dean with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce says the chamber in part sponsored the dinner.
We'll post more information as it becomes available.
