Norovirus cases reach 1.1 million with millions still at risk

The total of people affected by norovirus (aka ‘the winter vomiting bug’) has now reached a staggering 1.12 million according to the latest Health Protection Agency (HPA) projected figures for England and Wales.

Laboratory-confirmed cases of norovirus now stand at 3,877 across England and Wales compared to 2,255 in 2011. However, the HPA claim that for every reported case, there are an additional 288 cases that have yet to be flagged up. This means there could be 1.12 million struck down with the illness.
The HPA estimates that approximately 100,000 people were suffering from the winter vomiting bug over the Christmas period – an incredible 72% increase on the year before at the same time. Although the total number of reported cases had dropped over the festive break, it is believed that millions in the UK are still at high risk of catching the contagious bug in the forthcoming weeks.

John Harris, an expert in norovirus from the HPA, said: “As we have seen in previous years there has been a dip in the number of confirmed laboratory reports owing to the Christmas and New Year period. However, in line with other norovirus seasons we will expect to see an increase in the number of laboratory reports in the next few weeks. Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant. If you think you may have the illness then it is important to maintain good hand hygiene to help prevent it spreading. We also advise that people stay away from hospitals, schools and care homes as these environments are particularly prone to outbreaks.”

Mr Harris’ comments come in the wake of reports that show in the closing two weeks of 2012 there were 29 hospital outbreaks. This however is some way off the 70 that had been reported in the previous fortnight and the total for the season has now reached 590.

A Department of Health spokesman commented on how the NHS is coping with the contagious condition, saying: “The NHS is well prepared for the winter. No ­­­ A&Es have had to close so far this winter and we are providing additional funding to the NHS to help it cope with the added pressure that the winter brings. Flu and norovirus are typical at this time of year – that’s why we are running the ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It’ campaign. The number of beds closed due to norovirus symptoms is around 2.4 per cent. This compares to 2.9 per cent during the peak last winter.”

The winter vomiting bug can be transferred via contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects i.e. through touching the same doors or stair rails as somebody who has the virus. Symptoms typically last for a few days and include a sudden onset of vomiting – which may be projectile and/ or diarrhoea that is usually quite watery in nature, as well as a raised temperature, headache and stomach cramps. Although people can suffer from norovirus at any time, prominence of the illness and outbreaks normally occur during the winter season.

Unfortunately there is no cure for norovirus. However, if you do contract norovirus, Medical Specialists Pharmacy advise to drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated, take paracetamol for aches and pains, stick to eating foods that are easily digestible and stay at home until your symptoms subside due to the virus being highly contagious.

750,000 people could have norovirus

It was just over a fortnight ago when Medical Specialists Pharmacy reported how the norovirus ‘winter vomiting bug’ had struck the UK with a fierce vengeance and resulted in many hospital ward closures. Now, weeks later, it seems things are getting much worse.

The latest set of Health Protection Agency (HPA) statistics will certainly raise a few eyebrows and they show just how serious the contagious the illness is. The HPA figures show that the winter vomiting bug is wreaking havoc across Britain with cases now standing at a five-year high and also up by 72% at the same time in 2011.

The HPA claim that more than 750,000 people could be affected by the outbreak as there have been 2,630 confirmed reports of the virus from laboratory tests and the HPA operate on the basis that for every confirmed case, there are an additional 288 cases that have yet to be reported. This means that there may be around 757,440 people struck down with the stomach bug.

A HPA spokespersons said: “Laboratory confirmed reports represent only a small proportion of the actual amount of norovirus activity in the community, because the vast majority of affected people do not access health care services as a result of their illness.”

The weekly figures from the HPA indicate more cases reported, however the total number of new reports has dropped 28% from the previous week’s total of 327 confirmed cases. However, HPA norovirus expert John Harris warns that the worst may be yet to come after Christmas. He says: “Our figures show a small drop in the number of confirmed cases over the last couple of weeks. We cannot read too much into this at present as this is typical of the norovirus season where we see a series of sharp rises and falls in activity between October and April with the bulk of cases usually occurring between January and March. People should be vigilant in their hygiene and we would like to remind anyone who has typical symptoms suggestive of norovirus infection to avoid visiting friends or relatives in hospital or care homes. Norovirus infection in hospitals is very disruptive as it can lead to ward closures.”

Mr Harris also advised what course of action to take in the event of developing the virus. He continued: “Having a norovirus infection is very unpleasant but it is short-lived and most people will fully recover in a couple of days. Make sure that you or anyone you are caring for takes plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Over-the-counter medicines can also be useful in reducing headaches and other aches and pains.”

The HPA’s figures have coincided with news this week that 300 of the 1,834 passengers aboard the luxury cruise linger ‘Oriana’ have been quarantined due to an outbreak of norovirus, forced to stay in their own cabins to prevent a further spread of the virus which causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
There have been reports that some passengers collapsed on the deck and corridors and toilets ‘smelt strongly of sick’ according to some people aboard the ship. The winter vomiting bug hit passengers after the vessel departed from Southampton on 4 December for the 10-day Baltic cruise.

Oriana is scheduled to arrive back in port at Southampton on Friday morning, slightly earlier than first planned and new passengers will not be allowed on board until health experts have undergone strict cleaning procedures within the public areas and cabins, predicted to take around 6-7 hours.
A spokeswoman for P&O cruises said that ‘enhanced sanitation protocols’ had been put into place to try and contain the virus, which includes requesting that affected passengers isolate themselves in their rooms and do not leave the ship for any day trips.

The spokeswoman said: “The safety and comfort of passengers and crew is always our number one priority. As is currently standard procedure across our fleet, all the ship’s passengers were provided with a precautionary health notice advising of widespread norovirus activity and the health measures to avoid contraction and spread, both on board and whilst ashore.”

Cruise ships are a notoriously dangerous environment for a rapid spread of norovirus. Earlier this year, a similar outbreak erupted on another ship; Boudicca, with 170 passengers of the 828 on board being effected.

Approximately 600,000 to 1 million people in the UK fall ill with norovirus every year, but there are certain steps you can take to prevent contracting the virus and prevent it spreading. For example, avoid sharing towels and flannels, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet as well as prior to preparing meals, use a bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect any surfaces or areas that may be contaminated and wash all clothing and bedding at risk separately from other items.

Pensioners given sexual health advice as STIs increase

The thought of anybody who happens to be over the age of about 50 having sex, may be unthinkable to some people, but shock horror, it does happen! In fact due to advancements in healthcare, increasing gym memberships and people starting to look after themselves better compared to recent years, there is a new age of fit, sexually-active over-60-year olds who are giving the younger generation a run for their money.

This shift towards a young mentality has prompted one council to launch their first ever sexual health strategy, kicking-off last week and which also happened to fall during Sexual Health Week, which we covered here.

It is Croydon Borough Council who is the concerned party, and has now created a ‘sex at 60’ leaflet, warning OAPs about the dangers of casual sex with multiple partners. Labour Councillor Maggie Mansell argued this action was necessary as pensioners are generally more ‘fitter’ and ‘active’ now than ever.

When speaking to a local Croydon newspaper, the Councillor said, “The over 60s are fitter and more active than previous generations. They started their sex lives after the pill and before Aids and did not get used to using condoms. The over-60s do not need contraception but they do need modern advice.”

She advised the council on the importance of the pamphlet, so that the over-60s are warned that regardless of age, the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are still very high if they engaged in unprotected, casual sex.

The need for action may stem from a particular 2010 report released from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which documented a gradual increase in the number of people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s having sex with new partners from the year 2000.

The same report also stated how all five major STIs had seen a rise within older people. In particularly those aged 45 to 64 years of age had seen the biggest increase in herpes, syphilis, chlamydia and genital warts between 2000 and 2009. This same age group had the second largest increase in gonorrhoea, bettered only by the over-65s, which alone proves that everybody can contract an STI; it is not just teens who are at risk like so many assume.

In what could empathise how the problem seems to be escalating, the HPA found that cases of syphilis in 45 to 64-year-olds spiralled ten-fold from a mere 52 in 2000, reaching 503 in 2009. In the over-65s, cases of the same STI more than quadrupled from just 7 in 2000 to 32 in 2009.

Now the borough’s new sexual health strategy will hopefully bring these figures down. Key figures in the schemes admit whilst the plans were mainly aimed at younger people in the community, provisions would be made to cover all ages. Some of the new plans include widening the provision of condoms through pharmacists for the under-25s and other ‘high-risk’ groups, delivering sexual health drop-in clinics at various colleges, increasing the number of pharmacies providing sexual health services and increasing the number of centres that offer chlamydia screening and free treatment.

Tory Councillor Margaret Mead, the cabinet member for adult services and health, commented on the plans for better sexual health, saying, “This strategy is about improving the health and well-being of communities and ensuring residents have the knowledge to make the right choices regarding their sexual health. We also aim to encourage people to change their behaviour for their own personal well-being and for the benefit of making the most effective use of healthcare budgets.”

Medical Specialists Pharmacy is not surprised by the actions of Croydon Council. Increasing rates of STIs in older people is a topic we have looked into several times in the past such as earlier this year and even back in 2011. The government needs to tackle this lax attitude as it seems to be that people over the age of 40 seem to think they are immune to picking up an STI. However, it is not just a young person’s game; anyone is at risk! The HPA stats are understandable and we personally have experienced a huge number of patients of a surprising varying age range requesting everything from Clamelle chlamydia test kits, to chlamydia medication Azithromycin, the herpes antiviral medication Valtrex and condoms!

UK health officials diagnose potentially fatal SARS-like virus

A 49-year-old Qatari male is currently being treated at a London-based hospital after contracting a new respiratory virus that is quite similar to that which claimed the lives of roughly 800 people back in 2003.

The man was transferred to the London hospital via air ambulance and was subsequently tested by health experts, who confirmed that the patient had a ‘SARS-like’ coronavirus.

Coronaviruses are mainly known to infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of mammals and birds, but they are thought to be responsible for the majority of common colds within humans and there are currently around five different strains that can infect humans.

The SARS coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome), made headlines in 2002 after first coming to prominence in Hong Kong and ended up spreading to 30 other countries before the condition was finally contained in 2003. It was spread through sneezing and coughing with initial symptoms including muscular pain, headache and fever. After 2 to 10 days respiratory problems begin to develop such as coughing, dyspnoea, and pneumonia. Of the people who contracted SARS during the 2002/2003 outbreak, 9% succumbed to it, with mortality rates especially high in those over 50-years of age.

The patient with the latest case of a SARS-like virus was first admitted to an intensive care unit in Doha, Qatar, on September 7 after complaining of symptoms four days previously. Then on September 11 the patient was transferred to the UK to receive more treatment.

This is the second recent confirmed case of a serious coronavirus as earlier in the year a 60-year-old Saudi national died as a result of his respiratory problems and The Health Protection Agency (HPA) say the two cases are identical. The HPA made the discovery after analysing gene sequences of the virus from the Qatari patient with samples of virus sequenced by Dutch scientists from lung tissue of the Saudi male who died.

Peter Openshaw, director of the Centre for Respiratory Infection at Imperial College London, wanted to alleviate any mass panic and stressed that the novel virus should not prove to be a major concern at this time and may have simply been found because of more intelligent testing methods. He commented, “For now, I would be watchful but not immediately concerned.”

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, added, “The HPA is providing advice to healthcare workers to ensure the patient under investigation is being treated appropriately. In the light of the severity of the illness that has been identified in the two confirmed cases, immediate steps have been taken to ensure that people who have been in contact with the UK case have not been infected, and there is no evidence to suggest that they have. As we are aware of only two cases worldwide and there is no specific evidence of on-going transmission, at present there is no specific advice for the public or returning travellers to take but we will share any further advice with the public as soon as more information becomes available.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) have so far yet to state any travel restrictions after the discovery of the illness, with a spokesman from WHO saying, “WHO is currently in the process of obtaining further information to determine the public health implications of these two confirmed cases.”

Heatwaves caused by climate change could kill 11,000 by 2080

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) have released warnings this week that paint a bleak future for our children, grandchildren, and those of us who may still be around in the year 2080. They claim that by this year, the effects of global warming could cause heat-related fatalities to rise by up to 70% in the 2020s, and then sky-rocket to an astonishing 540% by 2080.

In just 68 years’ time climate change could cause catastrophic heatwaves that will result in 11,000 deaths each year, up from the current figure of around 2,000. The people who are succumbing to high temperatures at the moment are primarily the elderly and vulnerable who may struggle to cool themselves down.

The HPA say that the old and those confined to hospital beds will find it difficult to cope by 2080 with expected temperature increases of 10C across towns and cities. It is believed that temperatures may peak at a staggering 40C (104F) in London during the summer seasons. Those with lung or heart disease are particularly at high risk.

HPA chairman Dr David Heymann spoke on the issue and said, “There is no doubt that climate change poses a wide range of challenges to public health in the UK. From increased risks of heatwaves through to potentially greater exposure to air pollution, indoors and outdoors, and potential changes to established pollen seasons, there are many issues, all of which need further research and attention if we are to adapt to or mitigate the effects.”

The ‘potential changes’ Dr Heymann refers to will have a direct impact on those with hay fever specifically who will see their suffering extended due to an earlier start to the pollen season, and it will then finish at a later month than usual. Dr Heymann continued, “We are confident that this report will provide all government departments with the further information they need to properly prioritise areas for future work and protect the UK public from the significant looming health challenges that climate change presents.”

More misery is expected for hay fever sufferers in the form of an allergenic form of pollen with more potency due to grass flowering earlier on in the year. On top on this, ragweed, a plant that emanates from the U.S., is likely to become prominent across the south in Britain. Professor Roy Kennedy of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit has claimed that the ragweed can emit millions of pollen grains and cause a flare-up in symptoms for those with hay fever as well as asthma in people who have never even suffered with the lung condition previously.

However, it gets worse. Presently, effective medication such as Malarone is used for the prevention and treatment of Malaria, first taken 1-2 days before travelling to various tropical and subtropical countries that are at high risk of the disease. In 2080 though, the risks may be a little closer to home!

By this point, increasing temperatures may result in Brits contracting exotic illnesses in their own country as new species of mosquito carrying tropical diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya could migrate north and over to the UK, causing chaos for millions. If this occurs then Medical Specialists can expect an even bigger surge in enquiries about Malarone after already being inundated with many requests during 2012.

The HPA have now advised the government to take the warnings seriously and consider improvements in infrastructure so that all homes and hospitals are better able to manage with the soaring temperatures.

Careless Brits dying from Malaria

Whilst we would like to think that we are well educated as regards the risks of contracting malaria when travelling, recent statistics show that many Brits are failing to take the necessary precautions. As a result of this there has been a steady increase since 2007 of Brits contracting malaria whilst abroad.

According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) the cases of British citizens contracting malaria has increased by over 33% from 2010 to 2011, and more worrying still is the amount of deaths caused by malaria which has nearly doubled.

The reasons for this are many and varied, there has been a large increase in the amount of British people travelling to more exotic locations such as India and West Africa. Added to that is the fact that every year around 2000 Brits come back to the UK suffering from malaria due to not taking any malaria medications.

The reason behind these worrying figures seems to be a lack of education regarding malaria and how dangerous, even how fatal it can be. Some British people do not even realise that they are even entering a malaria zone whilst others do realize but don’t consider malaria to pose a serious threat to their health. Then there are those that think that applying insect spray or sleeping under a mosquito net will be sufficient.

Some people are worried about the possible side effects of anti malaria drugs so avoid taking them, others mistakenly believe that because they have had malaria before or because they have lived in a malaria zone years earlier that they are immune. Another reason is people failing to finish the course of malaria treatment, Malarone for example needs to be taken for seven days after returning.

The NHS advises that if travelling abroad to seek your GP’s advice on which medicine is most suited to both yourself, to where you are going and to make sure your children are given the appropriate paediatric dose. The advice is to also take precautions to avoid getting bit in the first place, this can be done by using an insect repellent (containing 50% deet), using a mosquito net when asleep, keeping bare skin covered up and avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn, the time when mosquitoes are most active.

The Health Protection Agency has stressed the point however that none of these preventative measure can guarantee that you will not get bit, and whilst these measures are certainly worth taking it must be remembered that just one bite is enough to contract malaria.

Therefore this stresses the importance of taking anti malaria drugs, which if taken correctly for the full course can protect you from this potentially fatal disease. Malaria is a completely preventable disease for Britains travelling abroad according to the World Health Organisation, it seems however all that is needed to prevent further Britains contracting malaria is better education.