Warning as norovirus 'winter vomiting bug' on the rise

Cases of the norovirus vomiting bug infection have reached almost four times the level they were at this time last year, prompting the HSE to advise people to be aware of symptoms.

Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a virus which can "easily spread", causing the onset of sudden vomiting and diarrhoea.

The HSE said vomiting can be very forceful (‘projectile vomiting’).

It outlined that a fever often develops but that the infection is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 12-72 hours. A person will become sick within 24 hours (range 12 to 48 hours) of becoming infected.

Norovirus is "extremely infectious", the HSE said. It takes only a tiny number of norovirus particles to produce illness.

In statement on Tuesday morning, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said a total of 394 cases have been recorded in the first ten weeks of this year.

This is almost four times the number recorded at the same stage last year, when just 109 were confirmed.

Young children and elderly people have been the most affected, the HSE said, with 50% of cases seen in those over the age of 65, and 28% of cases seen in children under five.

The HSE has advised people to learn how to stop the spread amid the rise in cases.

Tips to prevent the spread of the bug include frequent handwashing and thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces.

HPSC consultant in public health medicine Dr Paul McKeown has said the virus lasts for a long time on surfaces.

"If you touch a surface contaminated with norovirus and then touch your mouth, this can make you sick," he said.

"Cleaning your hands with soap and water is the best protection against catching norovirus and it is important to note that alcohol hand gels do not work against the virus.

 "Norovirus infection is usually mild and lasts only a day or two. However, young children and elderly people can become very sick.

"People who get sick with norovirus can still spread the infection after their symptoms have gone and there is no treatment for norovirus infection.

"As a result of pandemic restrictions, there was very little norovirus reported in the last few years, but over the last number of months, cases are beginning to rise again," Dr McKeown said.