Health experts are sounding the alarm over a rise in norovirus infections, with one expert highlighting how the “winter vomiting bug” can cling to clothing and spread. The virus, which has seen a 40 per cent increase in cases over the past year, can live on fabric items like clothes, chairs, sofas, cushions, and curtains, making it highly contagious.
Symptoms of the illness include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. With flu cases also on the rise, health authorities are concerned about additional strains on the healthcare system.
They advise against relying solely on hand sanitisers, as they do not effectively kill the virus, and instead recommend thorough handwashing as the primary preventative measure. Microbiologist Jason Tetro advises that washing and drying clothes at high temperatures can offer extra protection.
Washing clothing on a hot cycle can kill the virus
(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Speaking to HuffPost, he said: “Your clothing is porous and therefore is essentially a solid petri dish. Anything that comes into contact with your clothes is going to stick to [them]. Norovirus [can] survive an entire month in pretty much any condition.”
Jason emphasised the importance of high temperatures when washing, stating detergents are effective against norovirus, advising that “hot is your best friend” in the fight against the virus. He further recommended a monthly hot-water cycle with bleach in an empty machine to maintain cleanliness, reports the Mirror.
Experts at the University of Minnesota have also stressed proper cleaning techniques for norovirus-contaminated surfaces, as reported by MailOnline. They caution against vacuuming carpets that have been vomited on, which can send infectious particles airborne. Instead, they suggest treating the area with baking soda followed by steam cleaning or using antimicrobial products known to combat norovirus.
Recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) demonstrate a significant increase in norovirus cases. This year’s count reached 4,523, more than doubling the 2,057 cases reported five years ago. Furthermore, the current rates of this highly contagious vomiting bug surpass double the pre-Covid levels for this period.
According to NHS data, an average of 528 hospital beds in England were occupied daily last week by patients with symptoms typical of norovirus, such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Although these numbers have decreased from the 723 beds recorded the previous week, they remain 40 per cent higher than last year’s count of 377 beds and markedly above the 338 beds allocated in 2022.
If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s always best to speak to your GP. However, in most cases, a bit of rest and plenty of fluids will do the trick, according to health experts. Over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol can also help with any fever or aches and pains you might have.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.