Norovirus outbreak in South Korea caused no deaths
Posted Feb 10, 2018 07:26:01 AM.
Last Updated Feb 10, 2018 08:00:18 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A story shared widely online that claims a norovirus outbreak at the Pyeongchang Olympics has led to fatalities is false.
The story on the AmericasFreedomFighters site correctly reported that over 100 people have been infected since Feb. 1 with norovirus, according to the local Olympics organizing committee. About 1,200 people have been sequestered at a youth training centre where security personnel for the games have been staying. The story’s headline falsely states that the outbreak is rare and has a “rapidly rising” death toll.
Norovirus is a common, infectious bug that causes unpleasant symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting but doesn’t require medical treatment. No deaths have been reported.
____
This is part of The Associated Press’ ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform
