Norovirus cases have risen again this week, with data from the UK Health Security Agency showing that cases were 18.3% higher than the previous two-week period.
As the virus continues to spread, people are reminded of the steps they can take to reduce further transmission.
Washing hands regularly with warm soapy water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces where possible are the best steps people can take to protect themselves and reduce the spread. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus.
While older people continue to account for most cases of the vomiting bug, activity has also increased in children under the age of 5 in recent weeks.
With this increase among nursery-age children, parents are advised to lead by example and encourage good hygiene habits.
It’s also important to know when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school as this can go a long way in preventing further spread. If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.
Respiratory viruses are also continuing to cause outbreaks in care settings, which is why it’s important for those with either a gastrointestinal or respiratory virus to avoid visiting care homes and hospitals if unwell.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
“Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, particularly among those aged 65 years and over and is now increasing among children aged under 5 years as well. Outbreaks in hospital settings have also increased.
“We should all remember the simple steps we can take to stop norovirus spreading, including washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection to those most vulnerable.”
“While norovirus is increasing, the latest respiratory surveillance data shows that cases of flu and RSV continue to fall. However, people are encouraged to continue taking necessary precautions as respiratory viruses can be unpredictable.”
Getting vaccinated if eligible, making sure indoor spaces are well-ventilated and staying home where possible if you have symptoms are all things that help reduce the spread. If you need to go out when you have symptoms, consider wearing a face covering, and if possible try to avoid visiting those more vulnerable, such as older people, pregnant women and young babies.
In the week between 12 January and 18 January 2026:
- influenza activity decreased and is circulating at low levels
- COVID-19 activity showed mixed trends and is circulating at baseline levels
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decreased and is circulating at low levels
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2025 to 2026 season are published weekly.
Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 3 and 4 of 2026 (12 to 25 January 2026)
In weeks 3 and 4:
- norovirus activity has increased in recent weeks, particularly in adults aged 65 years and over, but is also rising in children under 5 years too
- overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 3 and 4 of 2026 (12 January 2026 to 25 January 2026) were 73.8% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period and 18.3% higher than during the previous 2-week period
- rotavirus activity between weeks 3 and 4 of 2026 was 16.5% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period
- the number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2025/2026 season is 41.3% lower than the 5-season average
- during the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (84.6%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII) and the most frequently detected genotypes, GII.4 (32.9%) and GII.17 (21.6%), have continued to co-circulate
The timing of the typical seasonal increase and peak of norovirus activity varies from one season to the next. It is likely that multiple factors contributed to the high level of laboratory reports in recent weeks, including but not limited to co-circulation of multiple norovirus genotypes, weather conditions or changes in testing and reporting to national surveillance.
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
Flu surveillance data for week 4 (19 to 25 January 2026)
In week 4:
- flu activity decreased and is circulating at low levels
- flu positivity decreased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 6.9% compared with 9.7% in the previous week
- overall, flu hospitalisations were decreasing at 3.34 per 100,000 compared with 4.71 per 100,000 in the previous week
For the 2025/26 season’s vaccination programme, children and pregnant women have been eligible since 1 September, with other groups eligible from 1 October.
Up to the end of week 4 of 2026 (25 January), vaccine uptake stands at:
- 74.2% in all those aged over 65 years
- 40.5% in those aged under 65 years with one or more long-term health conditions
- 38.5% in all pregnant women
- 43.3% in children aged 2 years and 44.6% in children aged 3 years
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 4 (19 to 25 January 2026)
In week 4:
- RSV activity decreased slightly and is circulating at low levels
- RSV positivity decreased slightly to 5.9% compared with 6.5% in the previous week
- the overall weekly hospital admission rate for RSV was decreasing at 2.02 per 100,000 compared with 2.55 per 100,000 in the previous week
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 4 (19 to 25 January 2026)
In week 4:
- COVID-19 activity showed mixed trends and is circulating at baseline levels
- COVID-19 positivity increased with a weekly mean positivity rate of 2.2% compared with 1.9% in the previous week
- COVID-19 hospitalisations slightly decreased at 0.86 per 100,000 compared with 0.94 per 100,000 in the previous week
- COVID-19 ICU admissions remained low at 0.01 per 100,000 compared with 0.02 per 100,000 in the previous week
