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Norovirus may have affected 100,000 over Christmas, says health agency Norovirus may have affected 100,000 over Christmas, says health agency
(35 minutes later)
About 100,000 people were struck down with the winter vomiting bug over Christmas, and the number of confirmed cases was 72% higher than this time last year, Health Protection Agency figures suggested. The winter vomiting bug affected about 100,000 people over Christmas with the number of confirmed cases 72% higher than this time last year, Health Protection Agency figures indicate.
The dramatic rise was attributed in part to an early winter outbreak of the illness, which is caused by the norovirus. The outbreak closed dozens of hospital wards as affected various areas in Britain. The dramatic rise was attributed in part to an early outbreak of the norovirus-caused illness, which closed dozens of hospital wards as it struck across Britain.
Laboratory-confirmed incidents of norovirus amounted to 3,877 cases recorded in England and Wales, a rise from the 2,255 tally of last year.Laboratory-confirmed incidents of norovirus amounted to 3,877 cases recorded in England and Wales, a rise from the 2,255 tally of last year.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that for every reported case an estimated 288 were not flagged up, meaning that about 1.12 million people could have contracted the illness this season.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that for every reported case an estimated 288 were not flagged up, meaning that about 1.12 million people could have contracted the illness this season.
The number of reported cases dropped slightly during the Christmas week but this was in keeping with declines at the same time in previous seasons, the HPA said.The number of reported cases dropped slightly during the Christmas week but this was in keeping with declines at the same time in previous seasons, the HPA said.
John Harris, an HPA expert in the norovirus, 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, an HPA expert in the norovirus, 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.
"Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant. If you think you may have the illness then it's 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.""Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant. If you think you may have the illness then it's 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."
During the two weeks up to 30 December, 29 hospital outbreaks were reported, compared with 70 in the previous fortnight, bringing the total for the season to 590. During the two weeks up to 30 December, 29 hospital outbreaks were reported, compared with 70 in the previous fortnight, bringing the season's total to 590.
Cases of norovirus increased in number earlier than expected this winter across Europe. Experts have been unable to determine why this is the case or predict whether numbers will continue to rise at the same rate. Cases of norovirus started to increase earlier than expected across Europe this winter. Experts have been unable to determine why or predict whether numbers will continue to rise at the same rate.
The bug, which affected holidaymakers on two cruise ships before Christmas, can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects. It is known to spread rapidly in closely populated environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes. The bug, which affected holidaymakers on two cruise ships before Christmas, can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. It is known to spread rapidly in closely populated environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.
Symptoms, which usually last a few days, include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.Symptoms, which usually last a few days, include sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, or both, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.
Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, cases increase in winter months, with most recorded between January and March. Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time of the year, cases increase in winter, with most recorded between January and March.