Dozens of hikers visiting the popular Arizona tourist destination of Havasupai Reservation, known for its stunning blue-green waterfalls near Grand Canyon National Park, have reported falling ill during their trips. One hiker, Madelyn Melchiors, a 32-year-old veterinarian from Kingman, Arizona, described experiencing severe vomiting and fever after camping on the reservation.

Melchiors, an experienced backpacker, hiked out of the reservation to her car, weakened by the illness and the stifling heat. Thankfully, a mule carried her 30-pound pack several miles up a winding trail. Despite her recovery process, which involved 16 hours of sleep and electrolyte intake, Melchiors stated that she is still not back to normal but is grateful to be okay.

The federal Indian Health Service (IHS) revealed on Thursday that a clinic under their oversight at the reservation is providing timely medical attention to those who have fallen ill. Environmental health officers from the IHS are currently on-site to investigate the source of the outbreak and implement necessary measures to prevent its spread.

While camping, Melchiors consumed water from a spring that was tested and approved for drinking, along with other sources filtered through a gravity-fed system that removes bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses. Coconino County health officials reported receiving a report of gastrointestinal illness from a group of hikers who visited the waterfalls; however, the exact number of affected individuals is unknown.

The county health spokesperson, Trish Lees, emphasized the importance of taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of illness, including water filtration. Lees advised hikers to watch for early symptoms of norovirus, such as stomach pain and nausea, before embarking on their trip. Especially in camping situations where clean water supplies may be limited, norovirus spreads easily, and it is crucial to isolate sick individuals from other campers.

Every year, thousands of tourists journey to the remote Havasupai reservation, accessible only by foot, helicopter, or horseback, to enjoy its picturesque waterfalls. The journey involves an 8-mile (13-kilometer) hike through desert landscapes before reaching the first waterfall and then passing through the village of Supai, home to approximately 500 tribal members. Campsites with waterfalls are located a further 2 miles (3 kilometers) down the trail.

Tourism serves as a primary source of revenue for the Havasupai Tribe, but the limited infrastructure at the campground poses challenges. With composting toilets available on-site, visitors are asked to pack out refuse. Recent reports on social media indicate that the trails are littered with garbage, including bathroom tissue, plastic bottles, and fuel canisters.

The Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office assured visitors that they tested the water from a local spring last week, which is relied upon for drinking, and confirmed its safety for human consumption. However, accounts from hikers on social media have been emerging in recent days, sharing their struggles with gastrointestinal issues.

Various groups of hikers have been so severely affected that they had to opt for helicopter transport out of the canyon due to their illness, as reported by FOX-10 TV in Phoenix. Many others have taken to social media to share their own experiences with gastrointestinal problems. Melchiors, for instance, expressed a literal bitter taste in her mouth and mentioned that she would approach things differently in the future.

The Havasupai Tribe and local health authorities are actively working together to effectively manage the situation and prioritize the health and well-being of residents and visitors. The precise cause of the outbreak is still under investigation, and measures will be implemented to prevent further spread of the illness in the area.