Public Health England Have Confirmed 30 People Have Been Affected And Two Confirmed Cases Of Norovirus

The World Athletics Championships in London have been rocked by an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that has affected 30 athletes and support staff, according to event organisers and Public Health England (PHE).

Currently there have been around 30 cases of illness, and two of these cases have been confirmed as norovirus, which is potentially a very serious stomach bug that can cause long term consequences such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Media reports have stated that several athletes staying at the Tower Hotel fell ill last week. As a result of the outbreak, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has worked with PHE and issued further advice and guidelines to team doctors and support staff to “ensure the situation is managed and maintained.”

Amandeep Dhillon, a partner and public health specialist at law firm Irwin Mitchell that has vast experience in helping thousands of people seek justice and answers in relation to illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad, including over 300 diners who fell victim to the norovirus at the Toby Carvery in Exeter in 2015 and over 40 festival goers who fell ill at the 2013 Newcastle Spice Festival following an outbreak of salmonella, said: 

Expert Opinion

“It is worrying to see an outbreak of this nature at such a high-profile event.

“Gastrointestinal illness can have a long lasting effect and can lead to the development of further health problems, so it is vital that the seriousness of these issues are not underestimated, especially, where it is affecting high-profile athletes who have trained so intensively to potentially have their ambitions ruined.

“While it is positive that authorities have acted quickly to investigate the matter, the cause of the outbreak is yet to be confirmed.

“This incident needs to be thoroughly investigated until the cause of the outbreak is established and measures should then be drawn up to reduce the likelihood of similar problems occurring again at future events.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner