The highly contagious Norovirus, the Winter Vomiting Bug, has made it annual return in a dramatic fashion.
Compared to 2011's statistics, there has been an increase of 83% in cases, according to the Health Protection Agency, HPA.
Cases were predicted to be growing in number into the new year, however it appears that NHS is handling it well. Compared to the 2.9% of beds closed last year due to the Norovirus, only 2.4% remain closed. Additionally, no Accident & Emergency centres been forced to close.
With the increase in cases it has become increasingly imperative the public become aware of the transmission of the virus; the HPA report, as of the 16 December, for every 3,538 laboratory-confirmed cases 288 go unconfirmed.
The transmission of the virus is through contaminated objects and and surfaces, water and food. John Harris, an expert on the Norovirus from the HPA advised the washing of hands and, if found with the virus, staying away from hospitals, schools, care-homes or anywhere prone of outbreak. Specifically, anywhere "which may cause severe disruption".
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