15 Galician Students Hit by Stomach Virus on Andorra Ski Trip

Around 15 first-year bachillerato students from IES O Carril high school in Carril, Pontevedra, Galicia, suffered from a mild gastrointestinal virus during their school ski trip to Andorra, prompting medical attention including hospital visits for some at Nostra Senyora de Meritxell. Health officials attributed the outbreak to the virus, noting at least two students arrived with symptoms from Galicia, ruling out local food sources.

The group of students from the institute arrived in the Principality on Saturday, January 17, for a seven-day stay costing 675 euros per person. Organized by the school, the package covered full board at a three-star hotel in Escaldes-Engordany, five days at Grandvalira with ski lessons, and a visit to Caldea. Midweek, symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea spread rapidly among the 15 affected students amid close-quarters living and physical exertion.

Andorran medical services treated those impacted at the ski resort and hospital, with all cases remaining mild and no serious interventions required. Affected students mostly continued activities, though some missed skiing days or attended pistes despite feeling unwell to avoid isolation at the hotel. The ministry of health, after coordinating with trip organizers, confirmed the virus spread through group contact rather than hotel meals.

School director Rosa Gómez reported that everyone recovered well, with symptoms limited and only isolated activity disruptions. "They are all fine. All symptoms are mild and no one had to stop activities except for some specific day," she said. Families were notified and largely remained calm, though some expressed concern and plan to seek explanations from staff, especially given last year's similar incident affecting 21 students on an identical trip.

The group departed Andorra on Friday evening, arriving back in Galicia Saturday morning. The school intends to review the matter upon return to assess preventive steps for future outings.