UKHSA warns of common mistake when washing hands to prevent surging norovirus infections

Health chiefs say rates of sickness bug norovirus remain at double the five-year seasonal average for the time of year and are now expected to increase again

Norovirus cases remain high and are set to increase in the coming weeks according to the UK Health Security Agency.

Its weekly surveillance bulletin has warned levels of the sickness bug remain at around double the five-year average for the time of year. Flu is also on the rise and both are expected to increase now infections are supercharged by the return of school children after the October half term.

Health chiefs have issued advice to families on how to protect themselves following warnings of a “tripledemic” with flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which has also started to increase. It reveals a common mistake people are making when trying to prevent the spread of infections using alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Norovirus infection rates remain well above the seasonal average but appeared to drop slightly last week.

Amy Douglas, an epidemiologist at the UKHSA said: “The half-term school break is likely to have interrupted the upward trend we’ve been seeing recently in norovirus levels, but cases are likely to rise again as we head towards Christmas. To help reduce the spread of norovirus you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.”

Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people. Experts stress it is vital to drink plenty of fluids if you fall ill with it.

The UKHSA’s sentinel “spotter” laboratories found positivity rates for RSV - which is amain cause of the common cold - increased to 9.6% compared with 6.9% in the previous week.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “RSV continues to circulate at higher levels, particularly amongst those aged 5-years-old and under, with emergency departments seeing an increase in acute bronchiolitis. Flu has also increased this week and we expect to see all respiratory illnesses increasing over the winter.

“If you are showing symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable. Washing your hands regularly and using tissues can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.”