Norovirus caused group infections in the highlands of South Iceland

A number of tourist groups have developed gastrointestinal illness (vomiting/diarrhea) in recent weeks. Most were travelling on or near Landmannaleið (Landmannalaugar, Landmannahellir, Áfangagil, Hólaskógur, Rjúpnavellir) or hiking along the “Laugavegur” (Landmannalaugar, Hrafntinnusker, Álftavatn, Hvanngil, Emstrur, Þórsmörk (Básar)). Unfortunately, the outbreak seems to be ongoing as two additional cases were reported in Hrafntinnusker yesterday.

It has been confirmed that more than sixty people got sick while traveling along Landmannaleið and that more than forty people became ill while traveling along Laugavegur. The number of cases is probably considerably higher, however, as most tourists do not report their illness to authorities. It is difficult to accurately estimate the number of tourists in the highlands during the summer, but it is likely that hundreds of people travel along Laugavegur at any given time.

The Chief Epidemiologist recently published a report on the symptoms of norovirus, the main routes of transmission and preventive measures. Norovirus is extremely contagious and therefore it is important to take immediate action to control the spread of the virus, both between humans and into the environment. The Health Inspectorate in South Iceland has contacted local managers in huts in the abovementioned highland destinations. Recommendations have been issued to boil all drinking water and to clean all surfaces and equipment in the huts with appropriate methods.

The Health inspectorate has also taken samples to test the quality of drinking water in the huts to make sure that water supply is not contaminated with faecal bacteria or possibly norovirus. Samples have already been taken from the following huts: Rjúpnavellir, Hólaskógur, Áfangagil, Landmannahellir, Landmannalaugar, Hrafntinnusker and Álftavatn. Further sampling is planned in Hvanngil, Emstrur and Básar.

Water samples are tested locally in Iceland with regard to fecal bacterial contamination, but are sent to a laboratory abroad for norovirus testing. The results of norovirus testing are pending. Fecal bacteria have already been detected in drinking water at Rjúpnavellir, but no illness associated with these bacteria has been reported. For other huts, water sample results are either negative or pending. The Health inspectorate manages water sampling and test results.

Finally, it should be noted that the investigation of these outbreaks is still ongoing and the source of the infection has not been confirmed.

Addendum August 27

Results from a laboratory abroad confirm that no norovirus was detected in drinking water samples taken at Rjúpnavellir and Landmannahellir

The Chief Epidemiologist