Norovirus in local schools – help stop the spread!

It’s that time of year again and Birmingham City Council’s Environmental Health Department (@ehbham on Twitter) have attended a number of schools across the Northfield constituency in the past 2 weeks, regarding presumed outbreaks of norovirus. This includes schools in Northfield, Kings Norton, Rednal and West Heath.

Norovirus is commonly known as the “winter vomiting bug” and almost all those affected locally have been experiencing symptoms of vomiting and/or diarhoea.

The virus spreads quickly in schools where young children are in close contact with each other and council’s Environmental Health Department are keen to reduce any spread of the virus. They recommend that people check the NHS advice pages on preventing the spread of infection.

Key points are:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Do not share towels and flannels.
• Disinfect any surfaces that an infected person has touched.

Also, if your child has suffered any vomiting and diarrhoea, please don’t return them to school until 48 hours after their symptoms have gone.

For more advice how to protect yourself and your family against the winter vomiting bug, please visit the NHS advice page for more information and guidance