The Caldas da Rainha Hospital reportedly received more than 60 people in its emergency services who reported symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and in some cases, fever, abdominal pain, and headaches.

The Jornal da Caldas also says that the municipality of Caldas da Rainha confirmed the presence of 122 infected individuals. Analyses carried out by the National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge reveal the presence of norovirus in the stool samples analysed.

Euronews also reports that 80 of the identified cases are athletes who participated in the international youth football tournament held in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos between 24 June and 8 July.

In this regard, ASAE (Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority) and public health authorities conducted analyses of the catering service provided by the company Footmania, the event organiser. Samples of food and surfaces were collected; however, no evidence was found to indicate that the outbreak originated during the tournament.

In a post on the social network Facebook, the event's organisation left a message: "This year brought us challenges that were not in our plans: an intense heat wave and a viral outbreak that affected participants in our tournament. These were difficult days, in which we tried to make quick and good decisions, with everyone's health always ahead of everything else."


The norovirus

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis and is quite contagious. The virus can be contracted through contact with an infected person, contaminated objects and surfaces, and contaminated water or food, especially raw seafood or poorly washed vegetables.

The fact that it is summer also makes viral infections more frequent and harder to treat with antibiotics, which are only effective against bacterial diseases.

To treat a viral infection, such as norovirus, management focuses on the symptoms experienced, rest, plenty of fluids, and a diet tailored by a healthcare professional.