ALBANY — The state Health Department is warning camp operators to use extra caution this summer as there has been a significant increase in the number of gastrointestinal illness reported in the past month.

Department spokeswoman Claire Pospisil said about 800 people have become ill at summer camps in recent weeks. None were in the immediate Capital Region, however.

"The total number of people is approximately 800 in different camps," she said. "Some of the camps are in the northern region and some south of Albany."

The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, but a low-grade fever, chills, headache and fatigue may also be present.

A health advisory was issued to all overnight camp directors, camp medical staff, camp emergency medical services and camp infirmary services, alerting them to the outbreaks and providing them with measures to take to prevent the introduction and spread of gastrointestinal illnesses.