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| Winter vomiting cases at 1.1 million | Winter vomiting cases at 1.1 million |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cases of the winter vomiting bug norovirus have exceeded 1.1 million, figures for England and Wales suggest. | |
| Reported infections dipped over the festive break, but further cases are expected in the next few weeks. | Reported infections dipped over the festive break, but further cases are expected in the next few weeks. |
| The Health Protection Agency said there were 3,877 lab-confirmed cases up to 30 December - but for each confirmed case there are another 288 infections which go unreported. | The Health Protection Agency said there were 3,877 lab-confirmed cases up to 30 December - but for each confirmed case there are another 288 infections which go unreported. |
| The figure is 72% higher than at the same point last year. | The figure is 72% higher than at the same point last year. |
| Norovirus can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by contact with an infected person, or by the consumption of contaminated food or water. | Norovirus can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by contact with an infected person, or by the consumption of contaminated food or water. |
| John Harris, from the Health Protection Agency, said: "As we have seen in previous years there has been a dip in the number of confirmed laboratory reports owing to the Christmas and New Year period. | John Harris, from the Health Protection Agency, said: "As we have seen in previous years there has been a dip in the number of confirmed laboratory reports owing to the Christmas and New Year period. |
| "However, in line with other norovirus seasons we will expect to see an increase in the number of laboratory reports in the next few weeks. | "However, in line with other norovirus seasons we will expect to see an increase in the number of laboratory reports in the next few weeks. |
| "If you think you may have the illness then it is important to maintain good hand hygiene to help prevent it spreading. | "If you think you may have the illness then it is important to maintain good hand hygiene to help prevent it spreading. |
| "We also advise that people stay away from hospitals, schools and care homes as these environments are particularly prone to outbreaks." | "We also advise that people stay away from hospitals, schools and care homes as these environments are particularly prone to outbreaks." |
| In the last two weeks of 2012 there were 29 hospital outbreaks compared to 70 in the previous fortnight. | In the last two weeks of 2012 there were 29 hospital outbreaks compared to 70 in the previous fortnight. |
| Norovirus cases have appeared much earlier than usual this winter - cases normally occur after Christmas. It is not clear why, but the same pattern has been seen across Europe. | Norovirus cases have appeared much earlier than usual this winter - cases normally occur after Christmas. It is not clear why, but the same pattern has been seen across Europe. |
| The Department of Health in England said 2.4% of beds were closed in the NHS due to norovirus symptoms compared with a peak of 2.9% last year. | |
| A spokesperson said: "The NHS is well prepared for the winter. No A&Es have had to close so far this winter and we are providing additional funding to the NHS to help it cope with the added pressure that the winter brings." |