The ongoing norovirus outbreak at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, is changing one age-old tradition — the handshake between competing athletes. Health officials have asked athletes to bump fists rather than shake hands to prevent the spread of the infection, according to The Washington Post.
The outbreak has affected more than 200 individuals and recently spread to two Swiss freestyle skiers as well as the father of James Wisniewski, a Team USA Hockey player.
Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that can be contracted via contact with the stool or vomit of an infected person, contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of the virus can include stomach pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control showed fist bumps transmit significantly fewer bacteria than either handshakes or high-fives.