QUEENSBURY, N.Y. -- "By Monday, I had about 60 people ill," said Dr. Alicia McAulifffe-Fogarty, director of the 'Circle of Life Camp', "now our numbers are up to 66."

And that was just in camp director Alicia McAulifffe-Fogarty's group. The Department of Health said cases were reported from 18 New York counties, six other states and Canada.

"It's actually one of the worst GI bugs I've had," McAulifffe-Fogarty said. "It comes on very rapidly. Violent vomiting. Diarreah. Very violent for about twelve hours."

The DOH said it may be a norovirus, which is not considered serious for the general population and goes away in about 48 hours. But it is quite contagious.

When you have many people who are getting sick over a very short period of time it suggests there is some common source that everyone is being exposed to and it is getting it into their intestinal tract," said Dr. Martha Lepow, an Albany Medical Center Physician. "It gets into food from people who are probably food handlers who may be infected with it."

The DOH did close two park eateries after workers got sick.

"We were looking for commonalities," McAulifffe-Fogarty said.

She said all of the camp's meals were catered by the Park. The DOH said tests showed no unexpected bacteria in the drinking water or the pool. A Park spokesperson insisted there is no clear connection between their facility and the illness that they are cooperating with state officials, who have been investigating on site since Monday. The remainder of the park has stays open as park employees deep clean and sanitize.

"I think the park is being responsible and working with the Health Department," McAulifffe-Fogarty said.

But when asked if she'll be returning to the park anytime soon, she said, "I still don't feel good so I don't even have my head on straight. We haven't even looked into the future. We're trying to get everyone over the hump of getting well."

It's been a rollercoaster ride she won't soon forget.

A reminder from the experts, as with all viruses, hand washing and proper hygiene are the best ways to prevent spreading germs.