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CASES of highly contagious norovirus are double what’s normal for this time of year, health bosses have warned – with infections surging by 30 per cent in the past two weeks alone.
Brits have been urged to avoid work, school and nurseries for 48 hours after experiencing telltale symptoms of the nasty vomiting bug.
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Norovirus can strike suddenly, causing intense bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.
People who catch the bug have been warned to avoid workplaces and school for two days after their symptoms stop, as this is the time when they’re most infectious.
Amy Douglas, an epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “Norovirus levels have remained higher than expected recently and cases are likely to increase.
“To help reduce the spread of the infection, if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, take steps to avoid passing the infection on.
“Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either.
“If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.”
Keeping your hands clean can is very important to avoid passing the bug along.
But the epidemiologist warned that a common method of protection does nothing to neutralise the bug.
“Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone,” Amy said.
Giving your hands a good scrub in much more effective than using hand sanitiser, she explained.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading,” Amy added.
Recent UKHSA data revealed that norovirus activity had spiked by 29 per cent in the two weeks between September 23 and October 6.
The total number of case reports was also double the average amount of cases normally recorded within this two-week period.
Norovirus spreads easily in public settings and outbreaks in hospitals have also been reported.
In recent weeks, the number of norovirus outbreaks reported in hospital settings was 22 per cent higher than average, UKHSA said.
Amy said norovirus levels had remained “higher than expected” since April this year.
“With kids returning to school over the last few weeks, cases are likely to rise,” she added.
When to call 111 and 999 for norovirus
NOROVIRUS usually goes away on its own after a couple of days and doesn’t require medical attention.
But you might need to speak to a doctor if:
- You’re worried about your baby who is younger than 12 months
- Your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- You think your child under five might be dehydrated – signs could include fewer wet nappies
- You’ve used rehydration sachets but still have signs of dehydration
- You or your child keep being sick and can’t keep fluids down
- You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or start bleeding from the bottom
- You or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or are vomiting for more than two days
And if you spot any of the following signs, it’s vital to seek urgent care:
- Blood in your vomit
- Vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Green vomit (adults) or yellow-green vomit (children)
- A stiff neck
- Pain when looking at bright lights
- A sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
Source: NHS
The health watchdog said it was “closely” monitoring a norovirus variant – called GII.17 – that appears to be responsible for many cases detected this sickness bug season.
“There has been an increase GII.17 variant since April 2024, and during the first 14 weeks of the 2024/2025 season this was the most commonly detected norovirus genotype,” UKHSA said.
“The increase of the variant has been observed in other counties and is being closely monitored.”
Norovirus is often referred to as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ and tends to be very unpleasant.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs.
They tend to start suddenly, within a day or two of being infected.
Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
You’ll usually start to feel better within two or three days.
