Norovirus 'stay home' alert as levels 'very high for this time of year'

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning for people to stay at home for 48 hours if they exhibit symptoms of the norovirus, such as vomiting and diarrhoea. The agency has reported that rates of the contagious bug are "very high for this time of year".

The UKHSA did add that levels had started to reduce in recent weeks. On Thursday, the agency revealed that between March 3 and 30, the virus levels were 8.9% lower than the preceding four-week period. However, these levels were still 149.3% higher than the five-season average for the same timeframe.

The highest incidence of the virus was found in adults aged 65 and over. Reports to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) during this period indicated that norovirus outbreaks were 22% above the five-season average.

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These figures are based on laboratory reports, which only represent a small fraction of the total cases. The UKHSA estimates that for every reported case of norovirus, there are 288 unreported cases in the community. This translated to an "annual burden" of approximately three million cases.

Norovirus symptoms and advice

The UKHSA lists nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as symptoms of norovirus, but other symptoms can include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can lead to dehydration, particularly in vulnerable groups like young children, older people, or those with compromised immune systems. Therefore, it's crucial to stay hydrated if you fall ill with the virus.

Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, has issued a warning as norovirus levels remain unusually high. "Although cases are coming down, norovirus levels remain very high for this time of year. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not visit and care homes or return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others, as you can still pass on the virus during this time.

"Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus. Wash your hands with soapy warm water and clean surfaces with bleach-based products where possible to help stop infections from spreading."

In addition to norovirus updates, the latest figures from UKHSA also touched upon flu, Covid, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Reports indicate that flu is currently at low levels, while Covid presents a "mixed pictured across indicators and was circulating at baseline levels", a status similarly attributed to RSV.