"winter vomiting bug," is a common concern in the UK now, and there are often increases in cases during the winter months.

Increased Cases: There are indeed increases of norovirus cases in the UK.A key point is that norovirus is highly contagious.

 Key Advice:

Stay at home: If you experience norovirus symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea), stay home until 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared. This helps prevent spreading the virus.

 Hygiene:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.Clean surfaces with bleach-based cleaners.Wash contaminated clothing at high temperatures. Avoid vulnerable settings: Do not visit hospitals or care homes if you have symptoms.

Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Important considerations-

Norovirus can be particularly severe for older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.Many cases go unreported, so the actual impact is likely higher than official figures show.

As norovirus illnesses surge to their highest levels since records began in 2014, medical professionals are on high alert. A second wave of the terrible vomiting plague is wreaking havoc, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and experts worry that the worst is yet to come. The current season's rates are continuing to rise at a rate not seen in 11 years, despite expectations that warmer weather would lead to a decrease in cases, as has been the pattern in prior years.This alarming trend suggests that individuals who have already suffered from norovirus this season could be re-infected, as immunity to one genotype doesn't guarantee protection against another. Neither strain of the virus is thought to cause a more severe illness than the others.

Avoid hospital, work, school or nursery

Amy Douglas, the lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, warned: "Norovirus levels are still exceptionally high and now with multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season. We are seeing the biggest impacts in health and social care settings, such as hospitals and care homes. Symptoms of norovirus can be more severe in older adults, young children and those who are immunocompromised.

"If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not visit hospitals and care homes or return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others, as you can still pass on the virus during this time. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus. Wash your hands with soapy warm water and clean surfaces with bleach-based products where possible to help stop infections from spreading."

UKSA further explained that the new genotype has led to a surge in cases due to a lack of previous immunity. However, the high numbers may also be a reflection of UKHSA's enhanced testing capabilities and changing patterns of infection since Covid.