Norovirus is a highly infectious virus, so people with it should stay away from workplaces, schools and shopping centres, to stop passing it on to others, UKHSA has urged
Health experts are warning that the unpleasant winter vomiting bug – which comes with days of sickness and diarrhoea – is on the rise again.
Norovirus is highly infectious so people with it should stay away from workplaces, schools and shopping centres, to stop passing it on to others. Lesley Larkin, Lead Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Norovirus cases are on the rise again as we head into winter.
“Take steps to avoid passing the infection on. If you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, 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.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.”
The latest figures are taken from the end of October and November. There was a a drop in weeks 43 and 44, which coincided with the October half-term school holidays in England, but norovirus reporting has started to increase again in week 45.
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 5% higher than the 5-season average.
It is likely that multiple factors are contributing to the observed increase in laboratory reports, such as ongoing changes to the epidemiology following the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance.
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. 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.
