Norovirus Hits the Pyeongchang Games—And Everyone’s Freaking Out
Picture the Winter Olympics: Crystal‑clear powder, dazzling medals, and—only in a very real, not‑fictional twist—more bodies binge‑ing on flu‑like misery. This year, a norovirus that makes you vomit and crash the bathroom queue has swelled the shrubbed list of sick athletes and security rigs.
Numbers That Go Rampantly Up
- Initial report: 32 cases on Tuesday.
- Wednesday’s tally shot up to 54.
- Late Thursday’s final count: 128.
- Out of those – most are the brave guardians of the Olympic flame.
All of this happened right on the heels of the opening ceremony, turning the stadium’s cheers into coughs and tears. That’s why over 1,200 security staff went on quarantine duty, and the organizers had to consult the military for backup.
No Athletes in the Mashing Zone Yet
Thanks to the strict “get-away-from-the-plates” strategy, so far no competitors have caught the virus. Remember last year’s World Athletics Championship in London? That outbreak pushed a bunch of runners home, leaving them feeling like they’d missed a medal, if not the competition itself.
WHO’s Fight Back The Heresy Behind IPC
At the very eve of the Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rallied to address the rising crisis. “Now. We’re talking about counter‑measures for the notorious norovirus. We’ll update you on all the numbers as they happen,” said a KCDC public relations official, Su Mun‑gyo, speaking over the phone.
Health Agencies Are on the Frontline
- Strict hygiene inspections at athletes’ lodging and food services.
- Checks on both bottled and tap water to stop the “mouth‑munching monster.”
For now, the Games go on, but with a stern warning: stay away from that “unknown’’ cause and keep your sanity— and your tummy—intact.
