Virus outbreak confirmed

Forty people associated with the World Championships have reported illness, with three cases of norovirus identified, Public Health England announced yesterday.

Illness has affected athletes and officials at the championships, taking place at the London Stadium until Sunday.

PHE London deputy director for health protection Dr Deborah Turbitt said: “PHE has been notified of a confirmed outbreak of norovirus among people associated with the World Athletics Championships.

“We have so far been made aware of approximately 40 people reporting illness and three of these cases have been confirmed as norovirus by laboratory testing.

“PHE has been working closely with the London 2017 organisers and venues to provide infection control advice to limit the spread of illness.”

London 2017, the championship organisers, announced on Monday night that several London 2017 competitors – staying at the same official team hotel – had suffered gastroenteritis.

A spokesperson for the Tower Hotel on Tuesday morning insisted it was “not the source of the illness”.

Public Health England on Tuesday said around 30 people had been affected, with laboratory testing revealing norovirus in two cases, and later told Press Association Sport that it believed there are connected cases at other hotels accommodating those involved in the championships.

Sickness victim: Isaac Makwala.