Irish norovirus alert as cases over TEN times in last year

NOROVIRUS cases are slowly rising in Ireland – after Covid-19 slowed the spread of winter vomiting.

During the pandemic restrictions the grim mistake With cases not spreading like wildfire, cases are beginning to pile up after lockdown measures were eased – with more cases in the last recorded week than the first 15 weeks of 2021.

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The Health Protection Surveillance Center has confirmed that 19 new cases of noroviral infections were detected in the week ended April 16.

And in 2022, 201 confirmed infections have been reported so far.

The 201 cases so far this year compares starkly with just 19 cases at the same time last year when Ireland was in a Covid lockdown and schools were closed – a 123 per cent rise this year.

The HPSC said of the 19 cases recorded in the week ended April 16, 11 were in the eastern region and seven in the midwest.

Irish parents have been urged to watch out for symptoms – and keep hands clean with soap and water as hand sanitizer isn’t effective against norovirus.

People are being instructed to stay at home if they have symptoms and not return to work or send children to school until 48 hours after all symptoms have resolved.

Just like with Covid, with norovirus, visiting elderly relatives or people in hospitals and nursing homes must be avoided.

Professor Saheer Gharbia, Directorate for Gastrointestinal Pathogens and Food Safety at the UK HSA, said: “Stay at home if you have norovirus symptoms and do not return to work and do not send children to school or nursery until the symptoms have subsided.

“Please avoid visiting elderly relatives if you are unwell – particularly if they are in a care home or hospital.

“As with Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, washing hands is really important to stop the spread of this virus, but remember that unlike Covid-19, alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so soap and water is best.”

And Head of Surveillance for Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety at the UK Health Authority Lesley Larkin warned: “As pandemic restrictions have been lifted and people have now started to mix more, norovirus outbreaks have increased.

“Symptoms include sudden onset nausea, projectile vomiting, and diarrhea, but also high fever, abdominal pain, and aching limbs.”

The HSE warn against going to the GP with the virus – as it spreads so easily to others.

SYMPTOM CHECK

The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Among the more unusual symptoms, some people may experience a low-grade fever, headache, painful stomach cramps, and aching limbs.

Symptoms appear a day or two after infection and usually last about two or three days.

As for treatment, the HSE advises: “The best thing you can do is stay at home until you feel better. There is no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it take its course.

“Children should not take medication for diarrhea. Anti-vomiting medication is sometimes helpful. Ask your pharmacist or family doctor for advice.

“The most important thing is to drink a lot to avoid dehydration.

“Oral rehydration solutions, available at your pharmacy, may be helpful in treating diarrhea.

“Take paracetamol if you feel unwell – read the leaflet before giving it to your child.”