South Korea: Norovirus outbreak amid freezing temperatures in PyeongChang /update 1

Event

South Korea's state weather agency announced on Wednesday, February 7, that freezing temperatures are forecast for the February 9 opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympics Winter Games in PyeongChang, with temperatures expected to range between -5°C and -2°C (23°F - 28.4°F) in the next dew days. The perceived temperature will be close to -10°C (14°F) due to windy conditions.

Organizers of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics have installed wind shields at the open-air PyeongChang Olympic Stadium to keep athletes and spectators warm. In addition, authorities will be distributing various cold weather items to visitors to the stadium, including a rain coat, a small blanket, a winter cap, heating packs for hands and feet, and a heating pad to sit on.

Meanwhile, officials from the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) warned that a norovirus outbreak had been reported among Olympic security personnel in PyeongChang on February 6. As of Wednesday, February 7, some 1200 private security staff had been sidelined to prevent contagion. Health officials believe that a major outbreak is unlikely, but are nonetheless implementing precautionary measures to limit the spread of the disease, including the temporary quarantine of the 1200 security guards present at the training center.

Context

The international Winter Olympic games will be held in PyeongChang from February 9 through February 25. Hundreds of thousands of tourists are expected to travel to South Korea to watch the game.

Norovirus is highly contagious and is spread by coming into contact with someone who is infected or touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, which typically last for one or two days. Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses, and hospitalization may be required in severe cases. There is no specific medication to treat norovirus, which often goes by other names or may be misdiagnosed (e.g., viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, food poisoning).

Advice

Individuals in and around PyeongChang are advised to monitor local weather forecasts and plan accordingly. To reduce the risk of contracting norovirus, wash hands regularly, particularly before eating or preparing food, and thoroughly wash fruits, vegetables, and seafood. If you become sick, do not prepare food or care for others to avoid spreading the virus. Immediately clean and disinfect any surfaces that may have become contaminated.