UK faces ‘outbreak of highly contagious norovirus this Christmas’ as number of cases soars by 40 per cent
Five wards were closed last night at a hospital in North Wales after patients suffered worrying symptoms of the contagious norovirus
BRITAIN could face a Christmas norovirus “epidemic” after the number of cases soared 40 per cent on last year.
The winter vomiting bug left 1,299 people stricken last week and closed hospital wards yesterday.
Reported cases in October were already 29 per cent up on 2015.
Norovirus affects millions every year, triggering agonising bouts of sickness and diarrhoea.
Public places are a breeding ground for the highly contagious bug and the latest NHS stats point to a particularly bad outbreak this winter.
Lib Dem MP John Pugh said: “Seeing norovirus rates spike like this are deeply concerning, the winter vomiting bug threatens to close schools, hospitals and businesses.”
He added: “This is further evidence that our NHS is creaking with the investment from this Tory government.”
Last month filming of Coronation Street was thrown into chaos after various staff members were struck down with norovirus.
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Earlier this month hundreds of staff and diners at Whaca restaurants were struck down with the virus.
The Mexican chain was forced to shut down nine of its 25 restaurants across the UK after the outbreak.
And last week a major hospital was forced to close its doors to non-emergency guests after another flare up of the contagious bug.
A number of wards at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington, Kent were infected.
Doctors say if you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better.
While the bug is unpleasant, official advice says to try avoid going to your GP as it can spread to others very easily.
The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to two or three days, with people urged to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
Visiting your GP surgery with norovirus can put others at risk, so it’s best to call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or feel you need advice.
Last night five wards at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales were shut to the public after an outbreak.
21 patients were showing symptoms of norovirus, prompting doctors to restrict access to try stop the virus spreading.
A spokesman for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “This is really important for us because although people who are generally healthy will get over a case of norovirus within a few days, for people who are already ill it can be much more serious.”
There was also restrictions put on visitors to the Weston General Hospital in Bristol, who were forced to close a number of wards after patients caught the bug.
What is the Norovirus?
Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and is also referred to as “the winter vomiting bug”.
It is very unpleasant and usually clears itself up in a few days.
It spreads easily spreads around public places and is transmitted when a tiny particle of vomit or poo from an infected person gets into someone else’s mouth.
That sounds a bit gross and unlikely but it can happen – in particular when you touch a contaminated surface and then put your hand in your mouth or if you eat food which has been contaminated.
You can also catch it if you are in close proximity to an infected person and they breathe on you.
What are the symptoms and signs?
you are likely to have caught norovirus if you experience a sudden sick feeling, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
What are the treatments?
There is no cure but the symptoms do often pass after a couple of days.
If you think you have contracted it contact NHS direct but stay at home, as you won’t be offered any treatment at hospital and you could put others at risk by being there.
You can ease the symptoms by doing a few things:
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid getting dehydrated
- Take paracetamol to ease aches and pains
- Rest – a lot
- Eat plain foods (if you can manage eating)
- Rehydrate with rehydration salts which you can buy in a sachet
- Adults can take antidiarrhoeal tablets