Norovirus cases rise by 41 per cent to twice average level

Norovirus circumstances have risen by greater than 40 per cent in a fortnight, fuelled by a brand new dominant variant, new information point out.

The variety of individuals testing constructive for norovirus within the nationwide laboratory reporting system jumped by 41 per cent within the two weeks to Sunday 20 October, based on figures from the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA)

This places laboratory-detected circumstances at greater than twice the typical stage for this time of 12 months seen previously 5 years.

In the meantime, norovirus outbreaks in hospitals have been 37 per cent larger than the five-year common this season, with 26 outbreaks reported for the reason that season started in July, the figures present.

Though these figures don’t give a exact indication of the variety of norovirus infections within the basic inhabitants, they do give an inexpensive sense of the diploma to which circumstances are rising or falling, scientists stated.

It’s unclear why the virus is kind of so excessive for the time of 12 months, though a UKHSA spokesperson famous that “there was a rise GII.17 variant since April 2024, and throughout the first 16 weeks of the 2024-25 season this was probably the most generally detected norovirus genotype. The rise of the variant has been noticed in different counties and is being carefully monitored”.

It is usually unclear whether or not GII.17, which isn’t new however has solely just lately gained dominance within the UK, is intrinsically extra contagious than the earlier most typical variant, GII.4.

However analysis has instructed that immunity constructed up from being beforehand contaminated by GII.4 could not shield as successfully in opposition to an infection with GII.17 – and this might be a key issue behind hovering circumstances.

Norovirus is a extremely contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis – an irritation of the abdomen and intestines.

It spreads simply by means of contaminated meals, water, surfaces, and direct contact with an contaminated particular person.

Widespread signs embrace nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting and in some circumstances, individuals undergo further signs similar to fever, complications, and physique aches.

“We’re heading into the winter season with norovirus ranges larger than typical, and we count on norovirus to unfold extra within the coming weeks,” stated Gauri Godbole, deputy director gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA.

“Just lately, we’ve seen the most important rise in circumstances in adults, particularly these aged 65 and over.

Ms Godbole added: “To assist scale back the unfold of norovirus you possibly can take steps to keep away from passing the an infection on. If in case you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, college or nursery till 48 hours after your signs have stopped and don’t put together meals for others in that point both. If you’re unwell, keep away from visiting individuals in hospitals and care properties to stop passing on the an infection in these settings.

“Washing your palms with cleaning soap and heat water and utilizing bleach-based merchandise to wash surfaces may also assist cease infections from spreading. Alcohol gels don’t kill norovirus so don’t depend on these alone.”

Simon Williams, a behavioural scientist and public well being professional at Swansea College, added: “Our behaviour is on the core of why noroviruses are spreading and likewise the best way to forestall outbreaks and our threat of catching it.”

“Handwashing is an apparent one. It’s one of many predominant methods to assist forestall the unfold of norovirus and comparable viruses. But it surely’s stunning how many individuals don’t essentially handwash successfully. And though hand hygiene actually elevated when the pandemic hit, it appears some individuals have been returning to unhealthy hand hygiene habits,” he added.

Dr Williams factors to a examine by the Meals Requirements Company which discovered the proportion who reported handwashing with cleaning soap and heat water “all the time” or “more often than not” declined from 79 per cent in April 2020, on the peak of issues concerning the pandemic, to 68 per cent in January 2022. And he expects that quantity to have fallen additional since then.

Professor Sheena Cruikshank, of Manchester College, added: “I can’t say for particular why it’s so excessive this 12 months. Nonetheless, it’s a virus that may be unfold by inhaling aerosols – and has a very good skill to outlive on surfaces – so after we collect collectively extra indoors it’s higher capable of unfold.

“And now we have a whole lot of poorly ventilated buildings which won’t assist,” she added.

The info relate to England however scientists say tendencies in viruses are sometimes comparable throughout the UK.