New norovirus warning: Health chiefs order Brits to stay at home for two days if they have vomiting virus to contain new ultra-contagious variant

Britons were warned today of a rise in highly contagious cases of norovirus.

The number of cases of the winter fallow bug, which can also cause diarrhea, has risen by almost a fifth in just two weeks, new figures show.

It means fallen for this time of year in England and Wales are more than double pre-Covid levels.

Health chiefs blamed the recent spell of cold weather and warned people not to work for at least 48 hours after symptoms end.

Experts also said a variant called ‘Kawasaki’, first spotted in Japan, now accounts for almost 70 percent of all cases.

According to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there were 447 confirmed cases of the bug between October 14 and 27.

This is 16 percent higher than the 384 reported in the previous two weeks.

Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, the number of reported norovirus outbreaks in hospitals is also 26 percent higher than the five-year average.

According to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there were 447 confirmed cases of the bug between October 14 and 27.

However, the actual case numbers – which cover only England – could be even higher.

This is because the figures are based on positive laboratory reports and NHS hospitals reporting suspected and confirmed outbreaks of norovirus.

Most infected suffer from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and recover at home.

But norovirus could increase pressure on hospitals, as infected patients must be isolated in single rooms or wards closed to new patients to limit the spread.

UKHSA noted that the rise in cases was largely driven by the variant known as GII.17.

The strain, which is responsible for 67 percent of cases, has been nicknamed ‘Kawasaki’ after it was first discovered in the Japanese city in 2014.

“The increase in the variant has been observed in other provinces and is being closely monitored,” the health agency said.

The bug is spread through close contact with someone who is infected; touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching the mouth; as well as eating food that has been handled by someone with norovirus.

Washing hands regularly is the best way to prevent the spread.

Norovirus can show similar symptoms to the Covid-19 virus, with both viruses causing chills, fever and headache.

The stomach flu usually goes away on its own within two to three days.

But patients, who may also experience sore arms and legs, are advised to stay home until 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared.

However, severe cases may require some people to be hospitalized, while the elderly and children are most at risk.

Gauri Godbole, deputy director of gastrointestinal infections at the UKHSA, said: ‘If you have diarrhea and vomiting, do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have disappeared and prepare during that time no food for others. or.

‘If you are feeling unwell, do not visit people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings.’

Rest and plenty of fluids are often recommended by health heads. Paracetamol can also help with fever or aches and pains.

But last week a health expert advised people to avoid ibuprofen, fearing it could irritate the stomach lining.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) could also increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers, says Savneesh Bhogal, a healthcare expert at Netex, said.

This is because the drug reduces the production of prostaglandins – hormone-like substances that the body produces – that protect the stomach lining.

The rise in cases also comes as a new vaccine is being tested in Britain that could prevent people from developing norovirus.

Moderna’s mRNA vaccine has entered the final phase of testing, the Health Secretary has announced, and results so far show it creates a “strong immune response.”