Key Summary
- Stomach bug spreading fast as other winter viruses ease.
- Older and vulnerable people face the highest risk.
- Regular handwashing and hygiene remain crucial.
While flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases continue to decline, there has been a spike in norovirus infections and health experts have called for improved hygiene practices to stop the spread of virus.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a 47 percent in norovirus infections in the first two weeks on 2026.
The infection is high among the 65 plus adults, and norovirus outbreaks in hospital settings are also on the rise.
Unlike flu and RSV, there is no vaccine for norovirus, and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, that could sometimes be accompanied with high temperature, abdominal pain, limb aches and dehydration.
Norovirus is contagious and its spread can be prevented by regular washing of hands with soap and warm water, staying hydrated, cleaning surfaces with bleach-based products, keeping indoors properly ventilated, practicing quarantine in case of symptoms, wearing a face mask, etc.
The current outbreak must be considered serious as it puts the lives of vulnerable groups like children, old people above 65 years and immunocompromised individuals at stake.
Flu activity has decreased in the second week of January with mean positivity rate declining to of 11.7 percent, compared with 14.1 percent in the previous week.
Flu hospitalisations were has decreased to 5.37 per 100,000, compared with 7.20 per 100,000 in the previous week.
RSV activity decreased during the second week of January with positivity at 7.3 percent, compared with 8.6 percent in the previous week
The overall weekly hospital admission rate for RSV fell to 2.99 per 100,000, compared with 3.31 per 100,000 in the previous week.
COVID-19 activity remained stable this year with a weekly mean positivity rate of 1.6 percent compared with 1.6 percent in the previous week
