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Health officials have issued a '48-hour' plea to parents following a rise of norovirus cases in recent weeks, particularly among children. Norovirus - otherwise known as the winter vomiting bug - typically causes vomiting and diarrhoea, but can also include symptoms of a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. While the latest figures by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show norovirus activity to have remained within expected levels over recent weeks, data shows the highest level of cases to currently be among children aged between 0 and 4 years. Due to this, health officials are urging parents to monitor symptoms of norovirus within their children, and to keep them off school or nursery if they appear to have symptoms of the stomach bug. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Health officials add that children should be kept off of school or nursery for 48 hours after their symptoms stop in order to minimise its spread. Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Norovirus activity has remained within expected levels in recent weeks, but it’s important to remember the simple steps we can take to prevent the spread of norovirus as we approach the colder months. "At the moment the highest rate of cases is in children so if your child has any symptoms, please keep them off school or nursery until 48 hours after their symptoms stop." She added: "If you’re unwell, don’t go to work or prepare food for others until 48 hours after your symptoms end and avoid visiting hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection to vulnerable people. "Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone." Health officials also warn that norovirus infections can cause dehydration especially in vulnerable groups such as young children. Parents are therefore also urged to ensure their children drink plenty of fluids if they suspect they may have norovirus.
