Warning of sickness bug outbreaks ahead of schools return

FAMILIES in Staffordshire have been urged to take precautions ahead of schools reopening as a horrible norovirus sickness bug spreads.

With coronavirus restrictions lifted, health officials have been alerted to a surge in norovirus outbreaks.

A report by Public Health England (PHE) warns that further rises could be seen in coming months, with cases so far being spotted in nurseries and child care settings.

Now schools in England are preparing to return for the autumn term, PHE has urged people to follow simple steps similar to those being taken to avoid coronavirus,

Dr Lesley Larkin, surveillance lead for the Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit at PHE, said: “We have seen increases in norovirus cases as covid-19 restrictions have eased and people mix more.

“As children head back to school next week, it’s important to remember simple steps we can all take to limit the spread of this unpleasant bug and reduce the chances of outbreaks.

“Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms and do not return to work or send children to school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.

“As with Covid-19, handwashing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, unlike for Covid-19, alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and water is best.”

Earlier in the summer, routine surveillance detected a rise in outbreaks of the vomiting bug, particularly in early year educational settings.

Cases started to increase in June and have been “notably higher” in under fives, PHE said.

During July cases were “43 per cent higher than the average of the previous five seasons prior to the emergence of Covid19”, PHE said. Norovirus is highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea but usually passes in a couple of days.

It is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.