Norovirus blamed for outbreak of illness among athletes in London

The London hotel at the centre of an outbreak of sickness that has struck down scores of competitors at the World Athletics Championships said yesterday it was not the source of the illness.

Several Botswana, German, Canadian, Irish and Puerto Rican athletes staying at the Tower Hotel, near Tower Bridge, have taken ill over the last few days, with some put into effective quarantine and others forced to miss their events.

Thirty German competitors arriving yesterday will be moved to other accommodation away from the hotel.

Competition organisers said on Monday that the illnesses were a result of gastroenteritis, but public health officials said yesterday that laboratory tests have confirmed two cases of norovirus among approximately 30 illness victims.

Norovirus, sometimes called “the winter vomiting bug,” is easily spread, partly because the virus can survive for several days outside the body, Britain’s National Health Service says.

It advises sufferers to avoid contact with others for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed.

Tower Hotel, used annually as the base for the London Marathon, said in a statement: “We have worked collaboratively with the EHO (Environmental Health Officer) and the IAAF to investigate the origins of the illness and can confirm that the hotel was not the source.

“We have followed strict hygiene protocol, ensuring that those affected are not in contact with other guests and all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised.”

London 2017 organisers said that a number of teams had reported cases of gastroenteritis.

“Those affected have been supported by both team and LOC medical staff, in addition we have been working with Public Health England to ensure the situation is managed and contained,” the organising committee said in a statement.

One of the highest-profile victims was Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, who was withdrawn from the 200 metres heats on Monday after becoming unwell in the call room where athletes make their final preparations.

Makwala was hoping to be cleared to race in last night’s 400m final, where he had been expected to be a contender for a medal.

“According to IAAF medics I am apparently suffering from food poisoning which has affected several other athletes in the athletes’ hotel,” Makwala wrote on his Facebook page.

“Let’s hope they will allow me to run my final tomorrow.”

Irish athletes were staying at the Tower and their 400m hurdler Thomas Barr was another to suffer, missing his semi-final on Monday.

“My whole year has been focused on the World Championships and to not be able to go out and compete for Ireland today is beyond disappointing.”