UKHSA urges action as norovirus cases spike in South West
Government figures show cases are double that of this time last year
Health experts in the South West tell us a spike in norovirus cases is being driven by a new strain.
According to Government figures, cases at the start of February rose by 20.5%, and are double that of 12 months ago across the country.
The illness, which is also known as the winter vomiting bug, is highly contagious and people with the illness are urged to stay at home.
Rhiannon D'Arcy is from the health protection team at the UK Health and Security Agency and says the illness is usually 'short-lived' and clears up with a few days rest at home, but that there are some vulnerable groups.
She said: "In particular the elderly, young children and people who may have pre-existing medical conditions that mean that their immune system doesn't work as well as it should do.
"For these people, the illness may be longer, and that puts them at higher risk of experiencing dehydration. These people may need medical attention from either their GP or a pharmacy or admission to hospital."
Due to the illness being easily spread, Rhiannon stressed that people will the bug must stay at home.
"You must stay at home while you have symptoms and then for at least 48 hours after the end of your symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. It's also incredibly important that people practise good hand hygiene. And that means washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
"It's really important that it's soap and water because alcohol based hand gels do not kill norovirus," she said.
People who are unwell with norovirus are told to avoid cooking food for other people during their illness and for 48 hours afterwards.
We're also told to ensure we wipe surfaces and object with a bleach-based cleaner as viral particles can live for a long time and contaminated bedding should also be washed separately from other clothes or bedding in a 60° wash.