adminAn outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting at the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village is thought to be the highly-contagious norovirus.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said 12 workers were “experiencing mild gastrointestinal symptoms”.All 12 have been sent home and told to remain there until they have been cleared of symptoms for 48 hours.
Games organiser Glasgow 2014 said it was investigating the cause of the outbreak at the site in Dalmarnock.
Dr Gillian Penrice, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK and it is common to see the virus in the community. It’s usually mild and generally lasts for 24 hours.
“The symptoms being experienced by these individuals are mild and none of the 12 are giving any cause for concern as a result of the virus. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”
Athletes have begun arriving for the Games, which are being held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3.
A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: “There have been 12 reports from the workforce of diarrhoea and vomiting which we are investigating.
“Village residents and workforce have been informed and issued with health information. There have been no reports from athletes or team officials and the village is open and operating as normal.”
Norovirus, which is also known as winter vomiting, gastric flu and norwalk-like virus, has been described as the “perfect pathogen”.
It can survive in all kinds of environments and is highly infectious. You cannot develop immunity.
The symptoms of infection – diarrhoea and vomiting – release tiny droplets into the air which settle on all exposed surfaces: door handles, worktops, beds. Half of those exposed to these micro-aerosols will also become sick (a “50 percent attack rate”.)
It is particularly problematic where you have a lot of people in an enclosed environments, such as cruise ships, hospitals and – you might speculate – an athletes village.
Although unpleasant, it normally has no long-term effects on healthy adults, but you wouldn’t want to have it and then try to win a gold medal. The only way to control norovirus is with highly restrictive infection control procedures. Contaminated areas will need to be deep cleaned or sealed off. People need to be scrupulous with personal hygiene, and anyone suffering from symptoms needs to be isolated.
Meanwhile, Welsh 800m runner Gareth Warburton is out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being charged with anti-doping rule violations.
The 31-year-old was fourth at the Games in Delhi in 2010 and was part of Team GB at London 2012. “The news of this anti-doping rule violation has come as a great shock to me,” he said in a statement. “From the outset, I would like to state that I have not knowingly taken any banned substance.”
UK Athletics has confirmed that Warburton has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him and can also have the charges determined at a full hearing before the National Anti-Doping Panel.
“I recognise that the responsibility for this situation lies with me and I’m committed to working with UK Anti-Doping and will fully cooperate in the legal process,” Warburton said. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the best to all my team mates heading to the Commonwealth Games and apologise that I won’t be able to join them as part of Team Wales.”
Team Wales Chef de Mission Brian Davies said: “Team Wales can confirm that one of the competitors selected for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has been provisionally suspended after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation. As a result Gareth Warburton will no longer be able to compete at the Games.”- BBC.
Online Reporter