Norovirus Outbreak Hits Finnish Ice Hockey Team at Winter Olympics; Warning Signs to Know

A norovirus outbreak has hit the Finnish women’s ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics, sidelining 13 players and forcing officials to postpone a key match against Canada. Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus, causes vomiting and diarrhoea and can spread quickly in close-contact settings, prompting strict isolation and safety measures to prevent further transmission.

Norovirus Outbreak Hits Finnish Hockey Team at Winter Olympics

A fast-spreading stomach virus has sidelined the Finnish women’s ice hockey team, forcing officials to postpone a highly anticipated Winter Olympic matchup against Canada. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association confirmed that 13 players were either sick or placed in quarantine amid a norovirus outbreak. Olympic officials said delaying the game was the safest choice.

“While all stakeholders recognize the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” a statement from Olympic officials said.

Norovirus – also known as the “stomach bug” leads to vomiting and diarrhoea, thereby quickly leading to dehydration. While most people become alright within a few days, the virus can still spread even after the symptoms fade, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the International Olympic Committee, there are plans laid out to detect and manage cases when they arise.

What happened with the Finnish team?

According to news reports, Finland got down to just 10 healthy players after practice. “Most of [the sick players] are getting better but not healthy enough to play,” coach Tero Lehtera said in an interview with the Associated Press. “And there is the chance that if we were to play, it could influence Team Canada and their health as well. But I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual.”

Team captain Jenni Hiirikoski said the team was looking after each other.

“It’s not nice, definitely. But we try to focus on one day at a time,” she added. “The big thing has been how we tolerate different things. I think we try to help each other, whatever it is and how it goes. So, it’s just stay calm and focused.”

Norovirus is a group of viruses that causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea. It is a very common illness, and it’s very contagious. Norovirus outbreaks usually happen seasonally in colder months. The infection is the top cause of foodborne illness in many parts of the world.

The Cleveland Clinic says the first norovirus outbreak occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, in the US, in a school in 1968. For this reason, the first strain of norovirus was known as the Norwalk virus. There are several different types (strains) of norovirus. It’s in the Caliciviridae family of viruses that cause inflammation of your stomach and intestines. In this family, there are 10 groups with 48 types. The most common type is GII.4.