The UK’s Covid lockdown appears to have had a massive impact on stomach bugs, slashing outbreaks by more than half in England during the first six months of the pandemic. Far fewer people suffered vomiting and diarrhoea than usual, data show.
People staying at home, mixing less and washing their hands will have had an impact, say public health experts in a new article published by BMJ Open. This perk may continue if we all carry on being more germ-aware, they say.
Routine surveillance in England shows the number of outbreaks caused by the winter vomiting bug norovirus has increased in recent weeks, although they are still below the five-year-average or usual level for this time of year.
Projectile vomiting
Norovirus is easily transmitted through contact with people who have it, or contaminated surfaces.
Prof Saheer Gharbia, from the UK Health Security Agency and one of the authors of the BMJ study, said: “Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, has been at lower levels than normal throughout the pandemic but, as people have begun to mix more, the numbers of outbreaks have started to increase again. As with Covid and other infectious illnesses, handwashing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, unlike for Covid, alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus, so soap and water is best.”
Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea. Although it can be very unpleasant, it usually goes away in a couple of days.
Each year in England there are typically more than 17 million cases of gastrointestinal infections, resulting in more than one million calls or visits for medical advice or care.
To help reduce the spread:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water
- If you do become ill, stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed
- Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated
- Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash
- Do not share towels and flannels
- Ensure toilets and the surrounding areas are cleaned thoroughly
- Avoid eating raw, unwashed food produce
An unexpected benefit of lockdown … 