Advice from Public Health England to prevent the spread of norovirus

Public Health England (PHE) West Midlands advises that they are seeing a significant increase in outbreaks of norovirus (winter vomiting bug) in schools compared to this time last year.

Norovirus is highly infectious. The main symptoms include:

• feeling sick
• fever
• sudden onset of vomiting, often projectile
• watery diarrhoea

Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms appear one to two days after people become infected and typically last for up to two or three days.

The most effective way to stop norovirus spreading is by washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet and for affected staff and pupils to stay away from school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

PHE West Midlands is asking schools to promote good hand hygiene and to ensure that toilets are fully stocked with soap and toilet paper. It has been shown that most alcohol gels and antibacterial wipes do not kill norovirus, so pupils must be encouraged to use soap every time they wash their hands and report to staff if the soap has run out.

If your nursery or school experiences an outbreak, i.e. two or more cases of diarrhoea and/or vomiting, please contact Public Health England on 0344 2253560 option 2, option 1 for advice. 

To access a copy of the norovirus nursery/school poster please click here.