July 23, 2015
State of Pennsylvania /Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Lake a Cowans Gap State Park
The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Conservation and Natural Resources have prohibited swimming until further notice at Cowan's Gap State Park in Fulton County after more than two dozen reported cases of a gastrointestinal illness that appears to be norovirus.
The remainder of the park will remain open for camping and other activities, however precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of the contagious virus whose symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
“Ensuring the health and safety of state park visitors is our main concern,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn in a release “While it is very unfortunate that we must close a major recreational aspect of this beautiful park at the height of the summer recreational season, we must take all precautions to ensure the lake water is safe.”
The Department of Health recommends that those who have visited the park and experienced the above symptoms contact their local health provider, health department or the Pennsylvania Department.
The lake was previously closed in August 2011 when several people became severely sickened after swimming in the lake. The water undergoes Escherichia coli counts twice every week and has been closed to swimmers on three days already this season.
