RIGA, May 21 (LETA) - The Latvian Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has recorded 81 cases of a yet unidentified infection among participants of the international youth basketball tournament Best Baltic Basketball League in Ventspils, CDC representative Ilze Udre told LETA.

Competing at the tournament were 16 teams with around 200 young basketballers from various countries. The tournament Best Baltic League took place from May 9 to 11 at the Basketball Hall of the Ventspils Olympic Center.

The infection sickened participants from Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Georgian teams. The CDC informed about the situation relevant health authorities in Lithuania and Estonia, while Georgia was informed through the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Symptoms of the disease were observed in both adults and children and included vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Most cases have been described as mild. Two patients sought medical assistance at the Children and Youth Sports Advisory Centre but did not require hospitalization.

An epidemiological investigation and testing started on May 12. Currently, testing is mainly carried out on Latvian participants. In parallel, the Food and Veterinary Service and the Health Inspectorate have also been involved and are searching for possible sources of infection.

The exact cause of the illness has not yet been confirmed, but the preliminary investigation points to a caterer as a possible source of the infection. The investigation is ongoing and the authorities promise to provide more detailed information as soon as the results of the laboratory tests are available.