ADVERTISEMENT

A vomit-inducing stomach bug that outlives hand sanitizer has taken down 194 people at the Winter Olympics

The norovirus stomach bug spreads quickly and easily in close quarters. So far, South Korean health officials have confirmed 194 cases at the Winter Olympics.

  • South Korean officials have confirmed 194 cases of norovirus in Pyeongchang.
  • No athletes have gotten sick so far, but the virus is highly contagious and spreads quickly in close quarters.
  • Most people can recover from the illness in a couple of days, but the body can continue to shed viral particles for weeks after recovery.

Dozens of miserable people in Pyeongchang, South Korea are suffering through days of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. They're sick with norovirus due to an outbreak that has spread through the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported on Monday that 194 cases of norovirus have been confirmed so far. Last week, the virus quickly spread among security guards, police officers and food handlers. Nearly 100 additional cases were reported in two days, and 1,200 Olympic workers had to be taken off the job. There have not been any reports of sick athletes yet, though.

Luckily, the virus's spread appears to be slowing. Following last week's dramatic uptick, the KCDC said 147 of the 194 sick patients "

ADVERTISEMENT

Norovirus is themost common cause of diarrheain the world. Symptoms usually surface between 12 hours and two days after exposure, and include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, nausea, and body aches.

The virus sheds from the feces of infected people and animals, and just10 viral particlescan be enough to get you sick. Norovirus is hearty and sticks around on surfaces for quite a while, so you don't have to come into contact with someone else's skin to get the bug. You can get it from eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or putting hands that contain norovirus particles in your mouth.

Norovirus thrives in both hot and cold temperatures, and it's not easy to wipe away with disinfectant. Hand sanitizer, which is normally an easy substitute for hand-washing, is also no match for the virus. Experts recommend cleaning contaminated surfaces with a potent chlorine bleach solution of no less than 5-25 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water, and washing hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water, especially before handling food or after going to the bathroom.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT