Norovirus outbreak affects 50 individuals in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland

Approximately 40 to 50 people fell ill due to a suspected outbreak of norovirus on the highlands in Hvolsvöllur, Iceland. Since last night, rescue teams in South Iceland have been assisting in bringing the affected individuals down from the area. The groups of sick individuals, primarily located in Emstrum and Básum, were transported to a collection center established by the police.

Hólmfríður Dagný Friðjónsdóttir, a local police officer, confirmed that the affected groups were four in total and were unrelated to each other. Efforts are currently underway to move the last group out of Þórsmörk, while the others have either returned home or gone to temporary accommodations.

Health authorities in South Iceland are conducting tests and tracking contacts to monitor the situation, working in consultation with health clinics in the capital region. The tracking process is reported to be progressing well. According to Guðrún Aspelund, the chief epidemiologist, it is currently impossible to trace the origin of the illness, and it is believed that the transmission did not originate in Emstrum. Disinfection measures are planned for the shelters to prevent further spread, with no serious illnesses reported despite the outbreak.

The Red Cross has been requested to assist in caring for those affected and staff the collection center. The situation remains fluid, and the police are assessing when the collection center might be closed, ideally waiting for the final group to be transported.