Health
Risk marquee? Noroviruses and mass infections
Numerous people complained of gastrointestinal complaints after visiting the festival tent at the Cannstatt Spring Festival. photo
© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa
Hundreds of infections in a marquee at the Spring Festival in Stuttgart show how quickly noroviruses can spread. A doctor speaks of perfect conditions.
Lots of people in a small space in one Marquee: These are perfect conditions for the spread of germs – including noroviruses. “It happens pretty quickly, experience tells us that,” said doctor Manfred Schmid in Bad Cannstatt.
As it became known yesterday, more than 300 people in a festival tent were infected with a gastrointestinal pathogen last weekend. The festival host assumes infection from guests. According to Schmid, the virus is transmitted through touch and saliva. “So when you touch common objects, drink from the same glass and use the same dishes.” Which often happens on the beer bench in a festival tent.
Disinfectant wipes are only partially helpful because you constantly have to wipe everything down. And that is probably not very practical in a party situation. Large-scale norovirus outbreaks occur again and again. In nursing homes, entire wards are often affected within two days when an outbreak occurs. Large outbreaks are also observed on cruises.
Isolation in case of infection
The incubation period is one to two days. Symptoms ranged from vomiting to diarrhea to fever. The infection is usually not dangerous for people with an intact immune system. People who are affected could also become seriously ill. If you have an infection, you should drink a lot and stay away from other people.
The city of Stuttgart advised those affected to contact the health department and their family doctor. Sick people should follow the recommended hygiene measures to prevent further spread. The tent can remain open, as a city spokesman announced. The operator is very cooperative.
According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, norovirus was found in stool samples of two sick people. Those affected include both visitors to the festival and employees of the affected tent.
The 84th Stuttgart Spring Festival began on Saturday with the traditional tapping of the barrel. For 23 days, the showmen have their rides, stalls and snack bars open, and there are drinks and performances in the festival tents.