Fair / 64° F
Virus closes Thumper Pond
Published 11:10am Thursday, January 7, 2010An outbreak of the Norwalk virus is closing the doors of Thumper Pond Resort and Restaurant, according to management.
Widespread flu-like symptoms spotted as early as last weekend prompted management Tuesday to temporarily shut down Thumper Pond, located at 300 Thumper Lodge Road, Ottertail. The resort is scheduled to re-open Friday morning.
“We took a voluntary closing on Tuesday to get the facility cleaned up and do everything we need to do to get everything back in shape,” said Bill Schultz, vice president of Thumper Pond’s management company.
Schultz did not have an estimated number of people who had reported illnesses after visiting Thumper Pond.
Norwalk virus, also commonly known as Norovirus, is a rapidly spreading foodborne illness, with symptoms commonly including vomiting and diarrhea.
The State Department of Health is involved in the investigation of the virus outbreak, but did not mandate a closure of the resort.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” said Wendy Spanier, a sanitarian with the Minnesota State Department of Health. “We’re working with Thumper Pond.”
Spanier would not comment on the specifics of the investigation.
Professional cleaners have been hired to disinfect the property from top to bottom, including the waterpark.
“We just felt it’s critical to get it cleaned up as quickly as possible,” Schultz said.
