Resurgence of cases of gastroenteritis on the GR20, ARS calls for vigilance

The Corsican Regional Health Agency is calling for vigilance in the face of a resurgence of cases of gastroenteritis on the GR20, a very popular hiking trail that crosses the Isle of Beauty. Health authorities wrongly thought that the peak had been reached on July 15. Last night, around fifteen teenagers were evacuated from the E Capanelle refuge, France Bleu RCFM reported on Wednesday July 31. More than 250 cases have been identified in the last four weeks. Nine required brief hospitalization.

As on July 12, the ARS and the prefecture of Corsica published a video “to raise awareness among hikers about good practices to adopt” and invite everyone to the “disseminate as widely as possible to limit the spread of the epidemic.”

The authorities call for respecting hygiene rules: “You must wash your hands well, before preparing food or after going to the toilet”recalls Doctor Isabelle Arrighi, medical advisor to the ARS of Corsica. Hikers are asked never to drink water from nature without filtering it first. It is necessary “boil water for at least five minutes before drinking or use purification tablets if bottled water is not available”explains the ARS. At the beginning of July, the managers of the shelters were instructed to increase the cleaning of toilets and all objects frequently touched by hikers, such as door handles and switches.

The Regional Health Agency also explains that, in the vast majority of cases, this virus is not serious and that one should not panic in the event of contamination. Many hikers have called on helicopters to be evacuated. You must contact the Samu by dialing 15, a doctor will then determine if an evacuation is necessary.

This epidemic is most likely due to a norovirus. Very resistant, it can survive up to seventy days on a dry surface.