Warning after surge of contagious vomiting bug outbreaks in schools

Children across Glasgow have been affected, and HPS are urging those with symptoms to stay at home.

Author: Clyde NewsPublished 6th Dec 2019

A major health organisation is warning of a surge in a contagious winter vomiting bug across Scotland.

Health Protection Scotland say there has been an increase in norovirus outbreaks in community settings, particularly among schoolchildren.

The bug causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, and is more common in the winter when people are indoors more and in close proximity to others.

The warning comes after around a third of pupils at St Angela's Primary and Nursery Class in Glasgow were hit with the bug last month.

Springburn's Elmvale Primary School was also forced to close for three days due to an outbreak.

Those who contract the virus are now being warned to stay at home or risk passing the highly contagious symptoms to others.

Lisa Ritchie, Infection Control Nurse Consultant at HPS, said: “If you are unfortunate enough to get norovirus, the best course of action is to stay at home until at least 48 hours have gone by without any symptoms.

“People in hospital are particularly at risk so don’t visit a hospital or care home if you or someone you live with has symptoms.

“You can’t build up immunity to norovirus but there are some things you can do to protect yourself and others. The most important of these is washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before eating.”

Health Protection Scotland is continuing to monitor the situation.

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