People have been advised to stay home for at least two days if they feel unwell
Health experts have issued an urgent warning over an “incredibly infectious” illness. Brits have been advised to stay home for at least 48 hours if they feel unwell.
In an update made to social media platform X, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advised people to look out for the signs of norovirus. Also known as the “winter vomiting bug”, norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea and can spread easily.
The UKHSA warned: “Norovirus is incredibly infectious, so if you’re feeling unwell stay home for 48 hours after symptoms stop as you are still infectious during this time.” According to the NHS, symptoms of norovirus can emerge “suddenly” and typically include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Other signs of the virus may be a high temperature, headaches, stomach cramps, and general body aches. To prevent the spread of the virus, the health service advises those with symptoms to avoid going to school, work, hospitals, and care homes until 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased.
Contaminated water or food are also risky. Besides self-isolating when ill, the NHS outlines several measures to curb the contagion’s spread, recommending that you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water (alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus) after using the toilet or changing nappies
- Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food
- Wash clothes and bedding that has faeces or vomit on it at a 60C wash and separately from other laundry
- Clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles
- Avoid contact with others as much as possible
If you experience any symptoms the health body says:
- Do not go to school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for two days
- Do not visit others in hospitals or places like care homes until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for two days
If you or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days, you should call 111.
Cases of norovirus
The most recent data from the UKHSA shows that throughout July, cases of norovirus in England were “low”. However, earlier this year, the NHS warned that norovirus cases were high.
On X, the NHS stated: “Cases of norovirus are higher than normal at the moment. Norovirus can spread all year round, causing diarrhoea and vomiting.”
Figures from the UKHSA indicated that laboratory-reported cases of norovirus in England between May 26 and June 29 this year (16,679 cases) surged by 124.2 per cent compared to the five-season average for the same timeframe (7,439 cases).