Norovirus outbreaks are increasing in England, particularly in early year educational settings and some cases have been reported in care home settings.
» Click here to the HCC Norovirus poster which can be displayed within the care home
Common Symptoms include:
- Sudden onset of nausea
- Projectile vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Other possible symptoms include:
- High temperature
- Abdominal pains
- Aching limbs
How to reduce the spread of Norovirus in Care Homes or Supported Living/Flexicare settings:
- Promptly isolate anyone that you support to their own room if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Asking resident to confide themselves to their room until recovered and 48 hours symptom free.
- Deal with any body fluid spillage promptly (wearing correct PPE and washing hands after) using disposable cleaning materials including mops and cloths. After cleaning with a detergent, disinfect with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (1000ppm available chlorine – Chlorclean or Actichlor tablets made up daily with cold water). Be safe remember COSHH, refer to safety data sheets and make up in well ventilated areas.
- Monitor unwell residents closely and encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
- Staff who become ill at work should be excluded immediately. Symptomatic staff should be excluded until recovered and they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
- If there are two cases in a residential setting (either amongst staff or residents) please notify PHE HPT so a risk assessment can be undertaken to confirm if the situation is an outbreak and additional action will need to be taken.
Phone: 0300 303 8537 or email EastofEnglandHPT@phe.gov.uk
» More information can be found here from GOV.UK
» Click here for the Norovirus checklist