State surveillance data shows laboratory reports of the Norovirus are 66% higher than average for this time of year. The largest increase in laboratory-confirmed norovirus was in people 65 and older. Although the number of cases in this age group is expected to be high at this time of year, this level has not been seen for more than a decade.
In response to the rise in cases, the UKHSA is reminding the public what they can do to reduce the spread of norovirus. Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads easily through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of norovirus is good hand hygiene. Most people will make a full recovery within 2 to 3 days, but it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially for the very young, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems who are at greater risk.
Norovirus-related outbreaks in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes have increased, with the majority of outbreaks reported in nursing homes. Dr. Lesley Larkin, Stomach -Galeral Infection and Food Safety (Healthy) Supervision: Said: “
Nora virus levels are currently the highest in our ten years. Most of the reports are over 65, and we also saw that the outbreak of the report has increased, especially in the environment in nursing homes.
If you review the symptoms of the Nora virus, you should be at home and should not return to work (particularly working with poorly shown groups or food) or send sick children to school or child care until the symptoms are cleaned for 48 hours.
If you have relatives in a nursing home or hospital, avoid 48 hours after the symptoms are eliminated. It is very important to wash your hands regularly to stop the spread of this virus, but remember that alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so soap and warm water are best.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS Medical Director, said:
As we’ve seen in the community and in care homes, norovirus has seen a dramatic increase in inpatient hospitalizations – it’s a very unpleasant illness, but it usually clears up within hours for most people. Going away for a few days and treating yourself at home is the best way to help yourself and not put others at risk.
How to reduce the spread of norovirus
If you have norovirus symptoms, stay home. You should not return to work or send your children to school for 48 hours after your symptoms are gone. Also, avoid visiting relatives who are elderly or in poor health, especially if they are in a hospital or nursing home.
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet or after being sick and before eating or preparing food. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus.
When someone with norovirus vomits, the droplets contaminate surrounding surfaces. Potentially contaminated household surfaces and frequently used items such as toilets, faucets, telephones, doorknobs and kitchen surfaces should be disinfected with a bleach household cleaner or a mixture of bleach and warm water.
If you are sick, avoid cooking or helping others for 48 hours after your symptoms stop, because norovirus can be spread through contaminated food when a symptomatic or infected person handles food.
Wash all contaminated clothing or bedding at 60°C with detergent and, if possible, use disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.
Health leaders have sounded the alarm after a surge in seasonal norovirus cases.
Researchers say the number of lab-recorded cases this winter has increased by more than 60 percent compared to the average over the past five seasons. Most of the reported outbreaks in recent weeks have been in nursing homes, with cases among those over 65 at their highest level in more than a decade.
Infection is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. State surveillance data shows laboratory reports of the virus are 66% higher than average for this time of year.
Although the number of cases in this age group is expected to be high at this time of year, this level has not been seen for more than a decade.
In response to the rise in cases, the UKHSA is reminding the public what they can do to reduce the spread of norovirus.
Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads easily through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of norovirus is good hand hygiene.
Most people recover fully within two to three days, but it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially for the very young, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems who are at greater risk. Norovirus-related outbreaks in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes have increased, with the majority of outbreaks reported in nursing homes.
dr. Lesley Larkin, Head of Surveillance for Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) at the HSA, said: “Current levels of norovirus are the highest we have seen at this time of year for over a decade. Most reported cases are in people over 65, and we have also seen an increase in reported outbreaks, particularly in nursing homes.
“If you develop symptoms of norovirus, stay home and do not return to work (especially if you work with exposed people or food) or send a sick child to school or daycare until symptoms have subsided for 48 hours. “If your loved one is in a nursing home or hospital, avoid visiting them for 48 hours after symptoms disappear.
“Regular hand washing is very important to stop the spread of this virus, but remember that alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so soap and warm water are best.”
Professor Sir Stephen Boyce, NHS medical director, said: “The significant increase in norovirus infections in hospitals is consistent with what we see in the community and in care homes – it’s a very unpleasant illness, but it also usually clears up within a few days. Most people, and self-treatment at home is the best way to help yourself and not put others at risk.”