Illness Outbreak Forces Shelter Evacuation
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PHILADELPHIA — The 275 residents of a city-run homeless shelter were evacuated for hours Sunday while authorities sought the cause of an illness that sent 85 staffers and residents to hospitals.
Evelyn Belcher, director of the Stenton Homeless Shelter, said firefighters determined fumes were not the cause of the illness, which hit an 8-year-old Saturday and spread rapidly Sunday.
The symptoms of the illness were nausea and diarrhea.
Shelter staff member Bill Parshall said authorities were looking at either a virus or food poisoning as likely causes.
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