Norovirus cases 40% higher than last year putting NHS on course for vomiting bug epidemic

December 2, 2016

There have been 1,495 confirmed cases of norovirus since July this year
This was compared to 1,379 during the same time period the previous year
Latest figures also show there were 22 outbreaks in hospital last week
Experts raised concern over the figures and warned of a potential crisis

Mail Online Reporter

Published:
04:16 EST, 2 December 2016

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Updated:
05:05 EST, 2 December 2016

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The number of Britons being struck down by the winter vomiting bug is 40 per cent higher than this time last year, official figures show.

There have been 1,495 confirmed cases of norovirus since July, compared to 1,379 during the same period in 2015.

Figures from Public Health England also show that there were 22 outbreaks in hospitals last week compared to just two this time last year.

These outbreaks refer to wards or sections of wards being shut off to contain the virus – and they can be hugely disruptive for hospitals.

Experts raised concern over the figures and warned that the NHS was on course for a Christmas norovirus epidemic.

There have been 1,495 confirmed cases of norovirus since July, compared to 1379 during the same period in 2015, according to figures from Public Health England

The hospitals affected included the Weston General in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, which last week was forced to close three wards.

But Public Health England said the infection rate was ‘in line’ with what is expected for this time of year and only 6 per cent higher than the five-year average.

Levels of the virus in 2015 were very low which is why this year is so much higher by comparison.

Norovirus is one of the most common stomach infections in the UK and it is referred to winter vomiting bug as it usually occurs at this time of year.

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Usually it clears up by itself within 24 to 48 hours but it can very serious for already frail patients, and can lead to dehydration.

The virus is extremely contagious and creates huge disruption in hospitals as it spreads so quickly between patients.

But it has a tendency to mutate and some strains are worse than others, leading to higher numbers of infections.

Experts raised concern over the figures and warned that the NHS was on course for a Christmas norovirus epidemic (stock)

Cases were particularly high in 2012 and during the worst weeks a third of all hospitals had closed wards.

The Infection Prevention Society – which works with hospitals to reduce the spread of bugs – warned that the NHS was facing a ‘Christmas norovirus epidemic’

But Nick Phinn, National Infection Service Deputy Director at Public Health England said: ‘Levels of norovirus this year are in line with what we’d normally expect, just 6 per cent up on average.

‘Comparison against last year is misleading because recorded cases were low.

‘Also, it’s impossible to predict whether we might see a high number of cases over Christmas because they vary so much week to week.’