The highly contagious virus spreading at the Olympics – and how to stop it
The only way to contain a norovirus outbreak at the Olympics
- Norovirus outbreaks are a recurring concern at major international events, including the Olympic Games, due to the gathering of thousands of athletes and staff.
- The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games have already experienced norovirus affecting several teams, illustrating the potential for disruption to competitions.
- Norovirus is highly contagious, resilient, and requires a very low infectious dose, enabling it to spread rapidly through shared facilities and close contact.
- Symptoms typically include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach cramps, lasting 24 to 72 hours, with individuals able to spread the virus before symptoms appear.
- Containing norovirus at large-scale events like the Olympics is challenging, demanding extensive sanitation, rapid testing, and isolation measures, as shown by postponed games and team quarantines.
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