- Maintain a high index of suspicion - assume all vomitus is infectious, irrespective of cause
- When two or more people in the same building/area/room/group develop vomiting within a day or so, there is a high likelihood that it is norovirus
- Clean and decontaminate soiled areas immediately
- Strict attention to routine hygiene/precautions and implementation of heightened cleaning/disinfection during outbreaks
- Cohort ill patients to prevent further transmission
- Exclude ill staff
- Involve IPC colleagues at the earliest stage
- Interim Guidance Note on Managing Norovirus in Residential Care Settings (November 2023)
- Guidelines on the Management of Outbreaks of Norovirus Infection in Healthcare Settings
- Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. Do not rely on alcohol hand gels, as they do not kill the virus.
- Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It's best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.
- Don't share towels and flannels.
- Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area.
- Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce.