Health chiefs have issued a stark warning over the rapid spread of a vomiting bug after a cruise ship packed with British holidaymakers was hit by an outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said norovirus – often dubbed the winter vomiting bug – can be caught at any time of year and spreads particularly easily in enclosed, close-contact environments. The alert follows a major incident in Bordeaux involving the cruise ship Ambition, which was carrying around 1,700 passengers and crew, including more than 1,200 British and Irish holidaymakers.
Around 50 to 60 people on board were struck down with vomiting and diarrhoea, with passengers effectively confined to the vessel while health checks were carried out – leaving hundreds of Brits stuck on board.
In a separate outbreak, more than 100 passengers and crew fell ill on another cruise liner, underlining how quickly the bug can rip through ships where people share facilities.
UKHSA said such settings – including cruise ships, hospitals, care homes, schools and nurseries – were prime environments for transmission.
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that causes sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea. Some sufferers also develop a high temperature, stomach pain and aching limbs.
Symptoms usually appear between 12 and 48 hours after infection and, while unpleasant, most people recover within two to three days without needing treatment.
But officials warn the virus spreads with alarming ease. People can pass it on before symptoms develop and even after they have cleared, meaning isolation is crucial.
Health guidance states people should stay at home and avoid work, school or preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.
The virus can also survive on surfaces for days or even weeks, helping it spread rapidly if hygiene standards slip.
There is no specific treatment and antibiotics are ineffective, as norovirus is caused by a virus rather than bacteria. Instead, sufferers are urged to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Those most at risk include young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
The NHS advises strict hygiene measures, including thorough handwashing with soap and warm water, as alcohol hand sanitisers do not kill the virus.
People with symptoms are also urged to avoid visiting GP surgeries or hospitals in person while infectious, instead seeking advice remotely if needed.
Health officials say simple precautions – from isolating when ill to disinfecting surfaces – remain the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading quickly through communities.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
