OSLO: Dozens of mountain bikers in a race in Norway have fallen sick most likely due to spray from sheep droppings on their path, Norwegian media reported Wednesday.
Of the 300 cyclists who took part in the Transosterdalen race at the end of June in southeastern Norway, at least 50 were struck with fever, stomach pain and diarrhoea in the days following the competition, according to public broadcaster NRK.
"This is most likely a Campylobacter infection," race doctor Tor Halvor Bjornstad-Tuveng told NRK, referring to a bacteria which is present in the intestines of many animals.
He said material from the sheep droppings, which have decomposed during heavy rain and projected on the bikers´ route, must have sprayed onto their bottles, faces and hands as they rode by.
"In particular, if the faeces are fresh and in large quantities," Bjornstad-Tuveng said, "they can splatter on their bottles in such a way that they ingest it when they drink".
-
Inside Jeffrey Epstein's troubling final days before suicide -
Woman, five others accused of plot to kill judge 'to free jailed lover' -
Japan’s cherry blossom festival canceled in Fujiyoshida; Here’s what to know -
Florida state employee jailed for over $1.5m fake claims scam -
North Korea executes teens over ‘Squid Game’ as K-Pop crackdown intensifies -
Hong Kong media tycoon 'Jimmy Lai' to be sentenced on Feb. 9: How the world sees it -
Australia, Indonesia sign new security pact to strengthen ties -
Trump declares ‘complete endorsement’ of Sanae Takaichi ahead of crucial snap election