DNA Explainer: Know about highly infectious Norovirus and precautions to be taken

The world is still not over with the COVID-19 pandemic and now another highly infectious virus is on a surge. Also known as the vomiting bug, Norovirus is highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea but usually passes in a couple of days. This normally peaks in the winter months.

But cases of the bug have recently been increasing across England. Outbreaks have been particularly concentrated in nursery and childcare facilities with far more than expected in summer months, Public Health England (PHE) said.

In the past five weeks, 154 outbreaks have been notified, compared with an average of 53 outbreaks for the same time period in the previous five years. PHE said while young children were affected, there has also been a rise in infection in all age groups.

The overall number of laboratory-confirmed norovirus reports across all age groups has also recently increased to the levels seen in previous years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Norovirus characteristics

Norovirus is commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.

It is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.

Norovirus is highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea but usually passes in a couple of days. 

The increase in outbreaks has been mostly in educational settings, particularly in nursery and childcare facilities.

Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.

Symptoms can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs.

Norovirus can be spread through food contaminated by the virus when food is handled by symptomatic people or infected individuals.

Precautions to be taken

Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms. 

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Unlike for COVID-19, alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and water is best.

A bleach-based household cleaner or a combination of bleach and hot water should be used to disinfect potentially contaminated household surfaces.

If you are ill, avoid cooking and helping prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent and at 60°C, and if possible, wear disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.