Health body confirms two norovirus cases at World Championships hotel

Two cases of norovirus have been identified after an outbreak of illness at of the official London 2017 World Championships hotel.

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

And Public Health England yesterday said around 30 people had been affected, with laboratory testing revealing norovirus in two people.

A spokesperson for the Tower Hotel insisted it was “not the source of the illness”. 0 The official London 2017 World Championships hotel

Public Health England’s 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 30 people reporting illness and two of these cases have been confirmed as norovirus by laboratory testing.

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

Norovirus, an unpleasant but rarely serious illness, is often caught through close contact or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

It can result in vomiting and diarrhoea, and those affected are encouraged to drink fluids to avoid dehydration.