The Contagious Norovirus: Disease Spreading All Over UK At Staggering Rates

Norovirus has become a huge problem in the UK. Many individuals have been affected, and it would seem that the virus is spreading much faster than the authorities have expected. Known as the “winter vomiting bug,” the virus has already taken down schools and hospital wards.

In the UK, one of the affected schools included Carnforth North Road Primary School located in Lancashire. Here, there were 50 pupils and staff that contracted the virus. The Rock Ferry Primary School located in Wirral experienced having 100 ill students due to the virus. In Staffordshire, the Cannock Chase Hospital ward limited visiting hours to only an hour a day because of the outbreak. Another hospital, George Eliot Hospital in Warwickshire, also underwent the same restrictions because of the outbreak.

As per the report of the Public Health England (PHE), 696 laboratory reports of the virus were recorded in Wales and England. It was determined that the virus started spreading as early as August. Just for October, there were about 700 people who got ill from the virus.

How Do You Contract the Deadly Virus?

Catching the virus results from any contact with an infected person. When this happens, the virus spreads through contact from one person to another. Usually, the virus spreads faster in environments that are closed or semi-closed.

This is why primary schools and hospitals were among those reported to have experienced the outbreak. Other possible areas where the virus could easily be transmitted would include nursing homes, cruise ships, schools, and also restaurants.

What are the Symptoms of the Norovirus?

While the norovirus does not last long, it could still make people sick for one to two days. Some of the symptoms provided by NHS include diarrhea, nausea, headache, fever (38C plus), and pain in arms and legs.

Health experts advise that those infected must stay off from the workplace or the school until the symptoms have already stopped. This must be observed for two days. It is also highly advised that one must avoid going to hospitals as these two days are when the virus is said to be the strongest. The best way to stop the virus from spreading is to wash your hands with soap and water and not rely on alcohol or hand sanitizers as these would not kill the deadly norovirus.