HSE issue major warning over ‘unseasonal increase’ of common vomiting virus

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre and HSE have issued a major warning to Irish people over an increase in a common virus.

The health chiefs issued the alert due to a spike in Norovirus caes.

The illness is known as the vomiting bug and usually common in winter, but there have been reported cases in recent weeks.

The virus is usually high during the winter months, between December and April, but it has increased in recent weeks, and it has been reported across the globe, including Europe and the US.

Norovirus is one of the most common vomiting bugs in Ireland and can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

You are likely to have the virus if you are feeling sick, get sick with vomit or have diarrhoea.

In some cases, some people also get a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms usually exhibit a day or two later after being infected, and it lasts up to three days.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued a warning with some key advice over the virus.

People are urged to be highly cautious of the virus and assume all vomitus is infectious, despite the cause of the vomit.

If two or more people in the same area develop a vomiting bug within a day or so, it is highly possible that it is norovirus.

If that’s the place, people are urged to clean and decontaminate soiled areas immediately and enforce strict hygiene routines to reduce the spread of the virus.

Notify the Infection prevention and control as soon as possible if there are a lot of cases of vomiting bugs in the same area.

Steps to prevent the spread

The health chiefs warned that it is not possible to entirely avoid the virus but shared some advice on how to stop the spread.

People are encouraged to stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed – and they are urged not to visit the hospital unless it’s an emergency.

Wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Alcohol hand gels do not kill the virus.

Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated by the sick person.

Wash any items of clothing or bedding separately on a hot wash to kill the remaining virus.

Ensure that you flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area to prevent the spread.

Lastly, people are urged to avoid eating raw and unwashed produce as it is likely to contain the virus more than clean produce.

For more information about the Norovirus, more details can be found on HSE.ie