Norovirus warning as winter vomiting bug rates are 26% higher than average

Norovirus warning as official figures show cases are 26% higher than average as hospitals and up to 60 schools have been hit by outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug

  • Public Health England figures showed 336 people were infected in two weeks
  • The figure covers a two-week period and is higher than the average 262
  • PHE said rates are higher than usual for November but ‘not unprecedented’ 
  • Local media across the country have reported school and hospital ward closures 

Norovirus is spreading across the UK and leading to hospital wards and schools being closed to stop outbreaks of the illness. 

Public Health England statistics show cases of the ‘winter vomiting bug’ are  26 per cent higher than usual for this time of year.

A total of 332 people had cases reported between October 28 and November 10, with 18 hospital outbreaks across England and Wales.

All 18 of those outbreaks led to wards being closed to stop the spread of the virus, which quickly causes intense diarrhoea and vomiting.

And more than 60 schools in the north east of England have reported children and staff off sick, with some even forced to close for ‘deep cleans’. 

Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is not usually serious and most people recover without treatment in a few days, but it is extremely easy to spread (stock image)

The South West of England had the most confirmed individual cases during the two-week period, with 62, and the South East had the most outbreaks with six.

Over the last five years labs have reported an average of 262 norovirus cases during the last week of October and first of November.

This year’s figures are a rise of 70, equating to about five more infections each day.

Local media have been reporting ward closures across the country, with hospitals in Devon, Warwickshire and Swansea all affected.

North Devon District Hospital was on ‘red alert’ and closed a ward in the first week of November, Devon Live reported.

The Leamington Spa Courier said at the end of October a ward on Warwick Hospital had to be closed because of the virus.

WHAT IS NOROVIRUS AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO CLEAR UP?

Norovirus is one of the most common stomach infections in the UK and it is referred to winter vomiting bug as it usually occurs in winter.

Usually it clears up by itself within 24 to 48 hours but it can very serious for already frail patients, and can lead to dehydration.

The virus, which can also cause diarrhoea, is extremely contagious and can create huge disruption in hospitals as it spreads so quickly between patients.

But the winter vomiting bug has a tendency to mutate and some strains are worse than others, leading to higher numbers of infections. 

And the BBC reported last month that wards in three hospitals in Swansea had to be closed after 75 people got infected.

There have also been reports of an outbreak at a Lego event in Bristol and primary schools in Kent, Teesside and North Tyneside this week.

Norovirus is not usually serious and most people recover without treatment in a few days, but it is extremely easy to spread.

It’s transmitted from person to person by coughing, sneezing and close contact, and can also be caught from touching the same surfaces or food as someone who has it.

It spreads most quickly in hospitals because people are in close quarters and there are a lot of people coming and going.

Symptoms include a high temperature (38°C or higher), a headache or achey arms and legs.

People who think they might have it should stay at home and avoid going to hospital, where it can spread much faster and affect vulnerable people.

Symptoms should go away within 72 hours, according to the NHS, but people can phone NHS 111 if they are concerned.

To avoid spreading the illness, medics recommend patients stay home from work or school and avoid public transport.

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