Warning to South's parents after spike in norovirus cases
The UK Health Security Agency says schoolchildren are most at risk
Parents across the South are being given tips to help stop the spread of winter stomach bugs following a spike in cases.
The UK Health Security Agency says norovirus activity in the past two weeks has been more than double the five-season average for the same two-week period, while cases of flu have also been "steadily increasing".
With the bug easily spread in schools, they've issued advice to families to help control it.
The UKHSA's South East Health Protection Consultant Rachael Hornigold said:
"It is a virus that is really easily spread, so if just one person is sick and lots of people are around, they are at risk of getting that infection.
"One of key things is really teaching your child and people in the household when they're not unwell to take simple hygiene measures - such as when they go to the toilet washing their hands with soap and water.
"We do recommend that rather than an alcohol gel for example because it really does kill all of the bugs."
Other advice issued includes "knowing when to keep your child at home or send them to school", Rachael continued:
"If people are feeling unwell and they are sick or have diarrhea, it's really important that they don't go about their normal business and they don't go to school or nursery.
"Parents shouldn't go to work or prepare food, as that can cause the infection to spread.
Dr Merav Kliner, Regional Deputy Director of UKHSA NW, said: “As children return to school after the half-term holidays, it’s important that they get off to the best start possible ahead of winter.
Staying healthy and taking simple steps to reduce the spread of illness will ensure children and their families experience less disruption at this important time of year.
“Each winter, we see an increase in acute respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, however, it only takes simple steps to reduce the spread of most of these infections.
By following advice on good hygiene habits, knowing when to keep your child off school and taking up the opportunity to get vaccinated, parents are protecting their children and the wider school community.”