WITH less than two weeks before Christmas, health bosses have issued a bleak warning over a 33 per cent surge in cases of a nasty bug causing violent diarrhoea and vomiting.
The contagious stomach bug spreads easily through close contact and eating food prepared by infected people – a stomach turning prospect as families prepare to gather together for festivities.
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Cases of norovirus – which causes rapid onset nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting – surged by 33.2 per cent in the two weeks between November 18 and December 1, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The total amount of infections reported was more than double the number of cases usually seen at this time of year – amounting to an 114 per cent increase.
“This season, the increase in reporting has begun earlier than usual,” the health watchdog added.
It said people across all age groups were falling ill with the bug – but adults aged 65 and over were particularly affected.
Read more on winter illness
It comes after the NHS issued an urgent alert over a “tidal wave” of flu infections, which has lead to a 70 per cent surge in hospital cases in England in just seven days.
Health chiefs pleaded with eligible Brits to get vaccinated immediately to avoid “festive flu” before it is “too late”.
Medics fear hospitals will struggle to cope with a “quad-demic” of viruses running rampant this winter – surges of flu, Covid, cold virus RSV and norovirus that are all hitting at once.
UKHSA said the number of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals was also 27 per cent higher than previous years.
Increased reports of norovirus may be partly due to increased use of sensitive technology that’s capable of detecting multiple germs that cause stomach bugs, it explained.
But “it is likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17, as well as changes in the epidemiology following the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors are contributing to the observed rise”, UKHSA noted.
The watchdog said GII.17 was the “most frequently identified genotype” in samples taken from people with norovirus.
“An increase of this genotype has also been observed in other counties during 2024 and is being closely monitored — at present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness,” it added.
The number of norovirus cases is possibly higher than reports suggest.
UKHSA explained: “Lab reports represent just a small proportion of total norovirus cases and it has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported.”
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What are the symptoms of norovirus?
The main symptoms of norovirus are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
The symptoms start suddenly within one to two days 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.
Source: NHS
How to stop the spread
UKHSA experts have previously warned people who suspect they’ve got the bug 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 UKHSA, said: “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.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading.”
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
