Norovirus warning as new way superbug is spread revealed by experts

Experts have issued a stark warning as norovirus cases surge, revealing that it can linger on fabric for up to a month.

This includes clothing and other fabric-covered items such as chairs, sofas, cushions, and curtains. The highly contagious winter vomiting bug, which can also cause diarrhoea, has seen a 40% increase in cases compared to previous years.

Health officials are concerned that any further rise could put additional strain on an already overwhelmed health service, currently grappling with a significant flu outbreak.

Norovirus is typically transmitted through close contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces or objects, or consuming food handled by someone infected.

Despite common reliance on hand sanitisers, health chiefs warn they are not effective against the virus as alcohol does not kill it.

Instead, washing hands is recommended as the primary defence, as water helps break down the virus’s protective protein shell. In light of this, experts are now urging people to wash and dry their clothes at high temperatures to prevent further spread.

Biological washing detergents, particularly those containing enzymes called lipases, can also help eliminate norovirus bacteria.

Experts from the University of Minnesota have highlighted the significance of cleaning surfaces touched by someone with norovirus as a crucial method to remove and destroy the virus.

They advise against vacuuming areas where a person has vomited on carpet or furniture, as this could cause pathogens to become airborne and spread.

Instead, they suggest applying baking soda to the affected area before steam cleaning or disinfecting with antimicrobial products effective against norovirus.

Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released last month indicates that the total number of norovirus reports in 2024 (4,523) is more than double that of five years ago (2,057).

NHS data released today shows that 528 hospital beds in England were occupied each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.

Although this figure is down from 723 in the previous week, it remains 40% higher than the same point last year (377) and in 2022 (338).