UK - Norovirus cases 2012

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Virus forces Derby hotel to close as Olympians are hit by bug

Monday, July 23, 2012
D_Telegraph

A DERBY hotel has closed after a stomach bug hit three members of Australia?s Olympic badminton team who were staying there.

Mickleover Court Hotel confirmed yesterday it had temporarily shut ?as a purely precautionary measure? due to a small number of guests being diagnosed with a ?viral infection?.

A cleaning firm was called in over the weekend.

Mickleover Court said no more than six of its guests had been hit by the virus and no staff had been affected.

The hotel, in Etwall Road, Mickleover, was known to be accommodating Australia?s Olympic badminton team. The Derby Telegraph reported last week that team members Ross Smith, Renuga Veeran and Glenn Warfe had been taken ill and had been told by a doctor that they had food poisoning.
But yesterday the hotel said the outbreak had not been caused by food poisoning.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said the cause of the illness had been identified as norovirus...

Full text:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Virus-forces-Derby-hotel-close-Olympians-hit-bug/story-16582068-detail/story.html

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

23 July 2012 Last updated at 10:25 ET

2012: Badminton teams in hotel food poisoning

Five members of Australia and Canada's badminton teams were among a number of guests who fell ill with food poisoning at a hotel in Derbyshire.
...
It said norovirus had been identified as the cause of the infection.

The three Australians have fully recovered but two Canadians had to miss a warm-up match on Saturday.

The three affected Australian badminton players were Ross Smith, Renuga Veeran and Glenn Warfe while Michelle Li and Alex Bruce were the ill Canadians.

Full text:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-18954375

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Friday 24 August 2012

Bretton Water Park set to re-open after norovirus outbreak

By Ken McErlain
Published on Thursday 23 August 2012 16:32

Sickness-stricken Bretton Water Park will reopen to the public on Saturday (25 August) - subject to getting a clean bill of health in final tests.

The ?300,000 water park was abruptly closed four weeks ago after parents began reporting their children had been ill after playing at the complex.

Peterborough City Council closed the park to carry out tests and cleaning and revealed an outbreak of norovirus had caused 64 children to fall sick with diarrhoea and vomiting.

New facilities have now been installed at the park in a bid to prevent another outbreak, including setting up a drinking fountain, which had not been a feature of the park, plus improved baby changing and toilet facilities.

More...

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/health/health-news/bretton-water-park-set-to-re-open-after-norovirus-outbreak-1-4190374

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

25 September 2012 Last updated at 14:05 ET

Hilton Hotel, Newport: Norovirus blamed as 74 fall ill

A total of 74 people have become ill after visiting a hotel in Newport.

An investigation is being carried out after 51 guests and 23 staff were affected by a viral infection, which is probably norovirus, at the Hilton Hotel in Langstone.

They started to become ill last Tuesday and suffered diarrhoea and vomiting.
Hilton Worldwide said the wellbeing of guests and staff was of "paramount importance" and it had brought in "stringent" health and safety measures.

Public health officials say the outbreak is not linked to a particular function or event, but the virus was passed by someone originally infected.

Newport council alerted Public Health Wales two days after the first illnesses.

Read more...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-19720342

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Bug which closed Reinwood schools could be common norovirus

by Martin Shaw, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Sep 29 2012

A BUG which closed two Huddersfield schools yesterday is thought to be the norovirus or ?winter vomiting disease?.

Reinwood Junior School and Reinwood Infant and Nursery in Oakes both shut as children were struck down.

It is thought as many as a quarter of the 700 pupils were affected.

The schools were advised to undergo a ?deep clean? and were expected to re-open on Monday.

More...

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2012/09/29/bug-which-closed-reinwood-schools-could-be-common-norovirus-86081-31929539/

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Norovirus at Stafford Hospital (1)

16 October 2012

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is asking members of the public who have recently experienced nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea not to visit its hospitals to prevent the spread of the infection.

Colin Ovington, Director of Nursing said: ?If you have had any of these symptoms, or know anyone who has, we would ask you to try and avoid coming to either of our hospitals ? especially as a visitor.?

Norovirus is currently present on Ward 10 at Stafford Hospital. Both Ward 10 and the adjacent Acute Stroke Unit have a number of beds closed to admissions, transfers and discharges to nursing/residential homes and visiting is currently limited. Other areas of the wards are operating as normal.

http://www.midstaffs.nhs.uk/About-Us/News-(1)/2012/October-2012/Norovirus-at-Stafford-Hospital-(1).aspx

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Visiting still suspended at Warwick Hospital after winter sickness outbreak

Oct 17 2012

VISITING is still suspended at Warwick Hospital after a winter sickness outbreak, while nearby Stratford Hospital ? which is run by the same trust ? has closed its Nicol Unit after a suspected case of norovirus.

Visitors will only be admitted on compassionate grounds to see seriously ill patients. This must be arranged with the ward manager in advance.

Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/new...#ixzz29ZPI1AWK

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Diarrhoea and Vomiting - Raigmore Hospital 171012

17/10/2012 | Raigmore <!-- 2012 -->

Ward 2A (medical ward) in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness remains closed to new admissions and visitors are being asked not to attend while staff in the hospital deal with several cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.

The ward, which was closed as of Monday 15th October now has 15 patients affected, this is an increase of one since yesterday. Two patients are still experiencing symptoms.

Testing is still being done however some samples have come back confirming that this is norovirus. The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely difficult to contain.

There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor. The best course of action is to stay at home, take paracetamol to relieve symptoms of any fever and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. People should also adhere to strict hand washing techniques to reduce the spread of the virus.

More...

http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/News/Pages/DiarrhoeaandVomitingRaigmoreHospital171012.aspx

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Winter vomiting bug starts a month early: official figures

Hundreds of thousand of people have suffered from the winter vomiting bug as the disease strikes early and rates are already up by a quarter on last year.

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor
7:00AM GMT 10 Nov 2012
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So far this season there have been 1207 cases of norovirus confirmed with laboratory tests in England, which are considered to the tip of the iceberg with thousands more people suffering symptoms without seeking medical help or being tested.

This is 27 per cent higher than at the same time last year when there had been 954 laboratory confirmed cases and higher than any year since 2007/8.

Laboratory tests are subject to delay so the real figure is likely to be higher and will continue to rise, experts said.
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Figures from NHS Direct show the south west, north east, south east central region, south central and Wales have been the hardest hit in the last week, with more than five per cent of calls related to vomiting symptoms.

GP consultations mirror the figures also with consulations about norovirus and rotavirus symptoms above average with between 12 per cent of adults and 25 per cent of children given oral rehydration powders to combat the disease.

Hospital outbreaks are also up on last year the HPA figures show, with 49 outbreaks reported in October last year and 89 this year.
...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9666173/Winter-vomiting-bug-starts-a-month-early-official-figures.html

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20432458

21 November 2012 Last updated at 11:39 ET
Norovirus outbreak warning by health experts

Health experts are warning of an unusually severe winter outbreak of the norovirus diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Cases of the virus are already higher than normal for the time of year and its peak season is still to come.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said laboratory reports of the virus had recently risen from 48 in week 43 of 2012 to 114 reports by week 45.

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns has warned of norovirus cases being detected earlier this year.

The HPA estimates some 290 cases of norovirus occur in the community for every case reported to the authorities...

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

England v New Zealand: All Blacks laid low by Norovirus but coach Steve Hansen anticipates no withdrawals

New Zealand have fallen victim to a Norovirus that is sweeping the nation, but coach Steve Hansen anticipates no withdrawals from his starting XV to face England.

By Telegraph Sport
10:55AM GMT 29 Nov 2012

All but two members of the New Zealand squad have been afflicted by the vomiting and diarrhoea bug, which first struck before Saturday's 33-10 victory over Wales.

Many members of the touring party were confined to their rooms after being afflicted during yesterday's down day.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/newzealand/9710968/England-v-New-Zealand-All-Blacks-laid-low-by-Norovirus-but-coach-Steve-Hansen-anticipates-no-withdrawals.html

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

[Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

HPA update on seasonal norovirus activity

4 December 2012


Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show a drop in the number of hospital outbreaks of norovirus from 53 in the two weeks to November 25 2012 down to 40 in the two weeks to the 2 December 2012. The latest weekly report is now published.

However, the total number of confirmed laboratory reports of norovirus (both from community and hospital cases) is 2,313 for the season which is 64 per cent higher than the same period in the last season when there were 1,412 cases reported. There are no clear indications as to why activity is higher this year.

The laboratory confirmed reports only represent a small proportion of the actual amount of norovirus activity in the community and it is estimated for every confirmed case there are a further 288 unreported cases*.

As part of the HPA?s surveillance of norovirus it collects data from NHS Direct. Analysis of calls into the service show that the proportion of calls for diarrhoea are stable and within seasonally expected levels. Those relating to vomiting are decreasing but are still higher than the usual levels seen at this time of the year.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

Its symptoms include a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The illness usually resolves in one or two days and there are no long-term effects.

Dr Bob Adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at the HPA said: ?The norovirus season is always completely unpredictable as it peaks and falls over several months ? usually October to April. However, one thing we do know is that every year we will see a large amount of norovirus activity because it is highly contagious.

?The figures for the last two weeks show that there has been a reduction in the numbers of outbreaks in hospitals although there are clearly a lot of other people becoming unwell as we can see from the number of lab reports. We would like to remind people to avoid visiting friends or relatives in hospital or care homes if they have symptoms consistent with a norovirus infection as it can lead to ward closures and severe disruption.

?Norovirus is a short-lived unpleasant infection but most people will fully recover in a couple of days. It is important to remain hydrated as you will be losing a lot of fluids due to the symptoms. Over-the-counter medicines can also be useful in reducing headaches and other aches and pains?.



Advice for the public when managing a bout of norovirus:

• Do not visit your GP surgery or local A&E Unit. Norovirus infection is a self-limiting illness and you will recover naturally without treatment. It is, however, important to take plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids.
• Use NHS Direct's new diarrhoea and vomiting online health and symptom checker, to get advice on how to manage your symptoms at home or help to access the most appropriate health service visit the NHS Directwebsite [external link].
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
• Do not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes as there is a real risk that you would introduce the infection putting vulnerable people at risk.

ENDS



Notes to Editors

1. *Data from The Infectious Intestinal Diseases II (IID II) report can be found at theFood Standard Agency website [external link].
2. The latest norovirus report can be found at the HPA Norovirus page.
3. The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. In April 2013, subject to the usual approvals procedures for establishing new bodies, the Health Protection Agency will become part of a new organisation called Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website: http://www.hpa.org.uk [external link] or follow us on Twitter @HPAuk or ?Like? us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthProtectionAgency [external link].
4. For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 0208 327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 0208 200 4400.

Last reviewed: 4 December 2012

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

Help us protect patients from Norovrius, says Health Board

Friday, 7 December 2012

With the numbers of norovirus infections across the UK at higher levels than normal, and with the peak winter period ahead, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is urging people to help it keep the infection away from hospitals.

The most effective step that everyone can take to protect themselves from a range of infectious illness is to wash hands regularly. In particular, visitors coming onto wards to see family or friends who are in hospital must use the cleansing hand gel or foam that is provided in dispensers at every ward entrance.

We ask that there are no more than two visitors at any bed at any time, and for all visitors to comply with advice from hospital staff or displayed on notices and posters. Where there have been cases of norovirus we might have to limit visiting to close family members to help reduce the chances of the virus spreading.

Visitors should always wash their hands before leaving a ward area to help avoid carrying any infections away with them. If people have visited someone who is on a ward where there have been cases of norovirus the please do not go and visit someone in another part of the hospital.

And, most importantly, if you have suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting (D&V) then please wait until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours before coming into hospital as a visitor. If you are due to come in as a patient and develop D&V please ring the relevant ward or out patient department for advice before coming in.


Source: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/news/25169

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

9 December 2012 Last updated at 05:34 ET

Norovirus closes three wards at Derriford Hospital

Three wards have been closed at a Plymouth hospital after a virus outbreak, staff have confirmed.

Wards closed at Derriford Hospital after the the outbreak of norovirus - better known as the winter vomiting bug - include Shipley and Monkswell.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-20657419

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Re: UK - Norovirus cases 2012

10 December 2012
Last updated at 07:57 ET

Dumfries Infirmary wards affected by norovirus bug

Three wards at Dumfries Infirmary have been closed to new admissions after a fresh outbreak of the norovirus winter sickness bug.

A total of 38 patients and 14 staff have been affected.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-20664123