Thursday 22 April 2021
Islanders are being urged to continue practising good personal hygiene following increased levels of Norovirus in the community.
Four cases have been confirmed in Guernsey in the last two days and further cases are also suspected.
Symptoms of Norovirus include vomiting, projectile vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, but it can be dangerous for the very young, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions. The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. It can be transmitted by contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Norovirus transmission can easily be reduced by simple measures such as:
- regular handwashing with soap and water and change your towels frequently. Alcohol hand gels don't kill norovirus.
- stay at home if you are unwell, avoid cooking and helping prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
- don't send children to school or nursery if they have symptoms.
- do not return to work or an educational establishment until you have been symptom free for 48 hours i.e. no diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours.
Outbreaks can be difficult to control and long lasting because Norovirus is easily transmitted, and the virus can survive in the environment. The most effective way to respond to an outbreak is as follows:
- isolate infected individuals for up to 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
- adopt good hygiene measures especially hand washing.
- provide advice on food handling and ensure a high standard of cleaning and disinfection of the environment.
Environmental cleaning should be done with a bleach containing product following the manufacturer's instructions.
Do not visit your GP surgery or local hospital while symptomatic and until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped. If you are concerned contact your GP by phone, you should take early advice in the case of elderly individuals, young children and those with weakened immune systems.
As a community we have spent over a year being vigilant for symptoms of COVID-19 and ensuring we wash our hands regularly etc. These simple measures need to become our new normal as they can protect us from all viruses and not just COVID-19.
