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At least 20 hospitalized after 2 days of illness at D.C. youth academy

Fifteen participants reported symptoms, one day after 19 people were hospitalized as investigators continued testing food, water, air and other possible causes

By Sanya Wason
Capital Gazette

LAUREL, Md. — Multiple people were hospitalized for the second day in a row after an illness at Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy in Laurel.

Fifteen participants reported feeling ill Monday morning, and six were taken to hospitals for further evaluation, said Arthur Wright, a spokesman for the District of Columbia National Guard, which runs the academy. The youth leadership program serves people ages 15 years, 7 months to 18.

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Nine of the 15 participants had also been evaluated during Sunday’s incident at the academy, which hospitalized 19 people. Wright said the cause is still under investigation.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department helped test for carbon monoxide after Sunday’s call, and no concerning readings were found. Investigators are still looking at all possible causes, including food and environmental causes, Wright said. An independent environmental testing company is on site conducting water, air and environmental checks.

“The health, safety, and well-being of our candidates and staff remain our highest priority. We will continue to cooperate fully with responding agencies and will provide additional information as it becomes available,” Wright said.

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