The South Korean government reports that 84 people associated with putting on the Olympic Winter Games have taken ill with the Norovirus, just days before Opening Ceremonies.
CNN reports that the outbreak hit mostly security guards who were assigned to protect the Olympic Village where most of the athletes will stay while they compete. The South Korean government has called in its military to handle security duties until the guards can return to duty.
Initially, about 40 people were struck with the stomach virus, which causes sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea followed by about a week of mild intestinal distress. But by Wednesday morning, officials said, the number had doubled, and as a precaution, most of the country’s 1,200-strong Olympic security force were given the week off.
“The military personnel … will be responsible for security checks of the 20 venues as they take up jobs such as security searches, previously done by civilian safety personnel, until the patients’ condition is normalized,” a statement released by the South Korean Olympic committee read.
The Korean Centers for Disease Control has also placed a small team on duty to handle any sign of further outbreak. “KCDC dispatched an immediate response team to the Pyeongchang site to check additional people for symptoms, check the origin of the exposure, take measures to control infection and prevent spread,” they told media Wednesday.
So far, no athletes have been diagnosed with Norovirus, but the disease spreads so quickly in confined spaces, like cruise ships and campsites, that the Korean government says it is taking all available precautions.
Competition for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games begins Thursday with preliminary, qualifying rounds in some of the major sports. The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Friday, February 9.
