Norovirus outbreak at PyeongChang Olympic venues leads to staff quarantine

washington postt ^ | 2/6/18 | Anna Fifield

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Olympic officials are scrambling to contain an outbreak of norovirus at the Winter Games,
which open here Friday, after 41 security guards fell ill.

More than 1,200 people have been quarantined while they are tested for the virus, which has caused vomiting and diarrhea among those affected,
and hundreds of soldiers have been deployed to make up the shortfall in security staff.

The outbreak, revealed just three days before Friday’s Opening Ceremonies, is particularly unwelcome given the security concerns surrounding these Games, which are taking place just 50 miles from the border with North Korea.

[MD Expat in PA]

Re: norovirus vaccines. A few Pharmaceutical companies are actually working on this and are in various stages of clinical trials. Will be very helpful for cruise ships to have on hand.

That would be a good thing, but I would think that a norovirus vaccine would be better administered at least a few weeks before going a a cruise ship. Given the time it takes for a vaccine to build up immunity and reach full efficacy, getting it while on a cruise is probably too late for the passengers. The crew should probably get it as a condition of employment.

[HollyB]

Ugh. It hits hard and fast. I had it after Christmas 2014. It’s awful.

[HollyB]

Good point!

[greeneyes]

Thanks for the ping.

[greeneyes]

Jan. and Feb. are flu season here. I stay home and use the stuff in my pantry that needs to be rotated. Hubby shops for me as he always wants fresh milk - I would be fine with powdered.

If I have to go out. I wipe down the cart, and keep hands away from face. Once groceries are on the checkout conveyor, I use a wipe on my hands and drive home. Once stuff is put away, wash up real good. Wipe jugs before putting in refrigerator.

[AppyPappy]

Flu is normally spread more by things like coughing and sneezing.

[greeneyes]

I am also not in the habit of kissing people in public etc. either.

[MD Expat in PA]

If I have to go out. I wipe down the cart, and keep hands away from face. Once groceries are on the checkout conveyor, I use a wipe on my hands and drive home. Once stuff is put away, wash up real good. Wipe jugs before putting in refrigerator.

That is all good advice. But keep in mind that if someone near you with influenza sneezes or coughs real hard without covering their face, even and especially if they cover their face with their hand, and even if they do, the virus becomes airborne and can travel up to 8 feet away, and thus you can breathe it in. The best thing a person can do is to sneeze or cough into the inside of their elbow. Norovirus is not the flu.

[greeneyes]

Yes, I am aware that it is not the flu. I was responding directly to TIK who referenced the Flu and other viruses.

And yes, I do know that being near someone is a risk when they sneeze. I can’t control what others do - just myself.

At any rate, I have not had the flu for over a decade. I also rarely get a cold. Vitamins and staying at home. I have NEVER had a Flu vaccine.

[wrcase]

When you see him, tell him thanks for making the Olympics enjoyable to watch again. The work they do on the streaming coverage is excellent. No sob stories, straight-forward, competent coverage of the whole event and no commercials. Also they archive it in case you miss the event.