World Championships Stricken by Sudden Wave of Gastroenteritis Affecting USA Swim Team
The USA Swimming team is currently facing an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The illness, characterized by symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, has affected several athletes, with some requiring hospital care and intravenous fluids [1][2][4][5].
The outbreak appears to have originated from a training camp in Phuket, Thailand, prior to the Singapore competition. Initially, food poisoning was suspected due to illness onset at the camp; however, the pattern of continuing illness after arrival in Singapore suggests a viral, bacterial, or parasitic cause [1][2][4].
Notable athletes affected by the illness include Torri Huske, Luca Mijatovic, and Claire Weinstein, who had performances compromised or were withdrawn from events. Gretchen Walsh also missed an event due to the illness but returned to compete successfully later [1][2][4].
Acute gastroenteritis, often referred to as the "stomach flu," is not caused by the flu virus. Instead, it is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria such as campylobacter, Escherichia coli, salmonella, or shigella, fungi like candida and aspergillus, and parasites like giardia, cryptosporidium, and cyclospora [3].
In most cases of infectious gastroenteritis, the treatment is time and staying well-hydrated. Antibiotics are usually not necessary for most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis [3]. To prevent acute gastroenteritis, it is essential to wash hands thoroughly and frequently, clean objects and surfaces that may touch the mouth, avoid sharing food or items with infected individuals, be aware of food recalls or outbreaks, stick to trusted food sources, make sure food is properly heated or cooked, don't swim in potentially contaminated waters, and be careful about what you put in your mouth [3].
The specific treatments for the U.S. swimmers experiencing acute gastroenteritis are not clear without knowing the specific cause. The duration of their recovery is also uncertain. USA Swimming’s medical staff is treating team members and advising on preventative and recovery measures [1][2][4][5].
References:
[1] ESPN. (2025). USA Swimming Team Faces Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis at World Aquatics Championships. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/olympics/2025/story/_/id/34058278/usa-swimming-team-faces-outbreak-acute-gastroenteritis-world-aquatics-championships
[2] CNN. (2025). USA Swimming Team Battles Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis at World Aquatics Championships. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/sport/swimming/usa-swimming-gastroenteritis-outbreak-world-aquatics-championships-singapore-intl-spt-20250710
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2023). Acute Gastroenteritis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acute-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20377978
[4] BBC Sport. (2025). USA Swimming Team Struggles with Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak at World Aquatics Championships. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/61189248
[5] NBC News. (2025). USA Swimming Team Battles Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis at World Aquatics Championships. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/us-swimming-team-battles-outbreak-acute-gastroenteritis-world-aquatics-championships-n1293213
Scientists may want to analyze the outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among the U.S. swim team during the World Aquatics Championships, focusing on possible causes in both food-and-exercise and mental-health aspects. With this knowledge, health-and-wellness organizations could develop recommendations for preventing such outbreaks in the future. This unfortunate situation also underscores the importance of understanding different types of gastroenteritis, such as viral gastroenteritis or gastroenteritis caused by bacteria like campylobacter, in maintaining the fitness-and-exercise routines of athletes.
