"The world will be looking very closely, " Hawkey agreed, before sounding a note of caution.

CNN: African Cup of Nations shows glimpse of football's future

"It's very infectious and strikes in winter because people are indoors and it spreads more easily, " Hawkey said.

NPR: UK: Queen Hospitalized Over Stomach Illness

"I think they're favorites, yes, " Hawkey told CNN.

CNN: African Cup of Nations shows glimpse of football's future

The huge improvement in the standard of the tournament, its pitches and footballers has risen in tandem, Hawkey suggests, pointing out that at the 1992 tournament in Senegal, there was just one African footballer who played in England.

CNN: African Cup of Nations shows glimpse of football's future

"Not everyone can keep up with oral hydration so it is pretty routine to go to hospital and have a drip and wait for the thing to pass and keep yourself hydrated, " said Dr. Christopher Hawkey of the University of Nottingham's faculty of medicine and health sciences.

NPR: UK: Queen Hospitalized Over Stomach Illness