ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

An outbreak of norovirus blighted this year's World Athletics Championships when more than 40 people associated with the event displayed symptoms of the illness.

Members of the German, Canadian, Botswana and Irish teams were among those athletes and officials affected. Four cases of norovirus were confirmed with more than 40 other people showing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Around 30 athletes had to be relocated away from the hotel at the centre of the outbreak - the Tower Hotel near London's Tower Bridge. Health authorities claimed the property was not the source of the illness but a hotel spokesperson said: "We have followed strict hygiene protocols ensuring that those affected are not in contact with other guests and that all public areas have been thoroughly sanitised."

Some competitors were forced to withdraw from the championships, which took place at the Olympic Park's London Stadium from August 4-13. Others had to compete while still suffering.

According to the NHS, norovirus can survive outside the body for several days and can be easily spread in public places. It can be caught by breathing in small particles of the virus from the air or by touching contaminated surfaces or other objects.

And eating food contaminated by an infected person who has failed to wash their hands is a further risk.

Public Health England London deputy director for health protection Dr Deborah Turbitt said: "We have been working closely with the London 2017 organisers to provide infection control advice to limit the spread of illness."