Sick Brits warned to 'stay home for 48 hours' as 'incredibly infectious' virus spreads

Health chiefs have reiterated advice for people with symptoms of to stay home until 48 hours after their symptoms stop to limit the spread. The vomiting bug comes with nasty effects including sickness and diarrhoea, and spreads easily.

In a post on X, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: "Norovirus is incredibly infectious, so if you're feeling unwell stay home for 48 hours after symptoms stop as you are still infectious during this time." Norovirus cases typically surge during the colder months and contributed to intense pressure on this winter.

Outbreaks are also common in settings where people have close contact such as , schools and nurseries.

Advice issued by the UKHSA said: "For most people this is an unpleasant, short-lived illness and they make a full recovery within two to three days without needing any medicine.

"However, some groups - including young children, the elderly or those with weakened immunity - are at risk of suffering more serious and prolonged illness, which may require medical treatment."

Data from the UKHSA reveals that England has seen more than double the five-year average number of cases between March 31 and April 27, with a total of 14,959 laboratory reports compared to the usual 6,446, the Mirror reported.

Health officials also warned that people can catch norovirus more than once each season because multiple strains often circulate.

The virus has an incubation period - the time between infection and developing symptoms - of around 12 to 48 hours.

Measures that can help stop the spread include washing hands frequently with soap and warm water and washing contaminated clothing or bedding at 60C.

Sufferers should also stay home and avoid preparing food for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.