The UK might face a second norovirus wave, in keeping with well being officers, who warned that individuals who have just lately had the sickness could also be in danger once more.
On Thursday, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) warned laboratory experiences of the virus, which may trigger nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, are at their highest-ever ranges.
There are an “exceptionally excessive” variety of instances in the meanwhile, mentioned Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA.
New NHS figures additionally present the variety of beds taken up by sufferers with the virus is almost 150% greater than final 12 months.
Well being officers imagine a sure norovirus pressure could possibly be driving up instances as individuals who have been beforehand contaminated might not have immunity.
That additionally implies that individuals who have just lately been ailing with norovirus are vulnerable to catching it once more.
The much less frequent pressure now represents 29% of instances in comparison with simply 10% three months in the past.
A number of UK research have discovered that norovirus is the commonest reason for gastrointestinal sickness, the place a trigger is recognized.
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“We’re seeing the largest impacts in well being and social care settings, equivalent to hospitals and care houses,” mentioned Ms Douglas.
“Signs of norovirus might be extra extreme in older adults, younger youngsters and people who are immunocompromised.
“When you have diarrhoea and vomiting, please don’t go to hospitals and care houses or return to work, college or nursery till 48 hours after your signs have stopped and do not put together meals for others, as you’ll be able to nonetheless go on the virus throughout this time.”
Norovirus is very contagious and is not killed by alcohol gel or wipes.
To keep away from spreading the virus, individuals ought to wash their arms with soapy water and use bleach to wash surfaces, in keeping with Ms Douglas.
“These statistics present that we’re nonetheless not out of the winter woods,” mentioned well being secretary Wes Streeting.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s nationwide medical director, warned that “we might be underneath no illusions concerning the continued strain workers are nonetheless going through”.
