Two Gangwon Youth Olympic referees test positive for norovirus

Food and Drug Safety Minister Oh Yu-Kyoung inspects the ingredients that will be used for meals for athletes at Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang County in Gangwon on Wednesday, two days before the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics begin. [YONHAP]

Two referees for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics fell ill with norovirus — a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, the event's organizing committee said Wednesday.

Yonhap News reported Wednesday that six people showed symptoms of norovirus after having a meal at Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon, on Sunday, including vomiting, diarrhea and shivering.

Two of them tested positive for the virus.

They are receiving medical treatment and recovering from the disease.

The organizing committee said the virus wasn't detected in the cooking area or the facilities after an investigation.

An epidemiological study is currently underway to track transmission routes.

A total of 705 food service personnel at the Olympic Village and lodging facilities for the International Olympic Committee had been screened for the virus since Jan. 9. Nine tested positive and were put in quarantine.

"Based on the previous experience from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the Committee will prepare thorough measures to protect athletes and visitors," a committee official said.

"Athletes, staff and visitors should maintain personal hygiene practices by keeping hands clean, covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and ventilating the areas where a large number of crowds gather for the winter games," the official added.

The Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics will kick off on Friday and end on Feb. 1.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]