Scientists have dubbed a deadly winter bug the ‘Ferrari of viruses’ due to its speed, as it spikes over winter leaving several at risk and the NHS at breaking point
Scientists have warned the ‘Ferrari of viruses’ is currently tearing through the UK – for a few reasons.
According to a journal logged in Science, norovirus “races through cruise ships, homes, and long-term care facilities.” The illness causes sickness and diarrhoea and is currently experiencing a surge the winter, causing stress on an already under-pressure NHS. Infections appear to have risen for several reasons, but the main appears to be a new variant of the virus that immune systems are not yet accustomed to.
At the end of the previous year, the NHS was putting out warnings for people to “stay home” if they caught norovirus, with bedlam hitting the wards as this winter saw levels of illness peaking. A message from the NHS on X revealed: “Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting.
“It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. If you catch it; stay home, rest and have plenty of fluids.”
In the journal, Lisa Lindesmith was quoted as saying: “The early data for the early part of the season is certainly supporting that we’re going to have a pretty intense norovirus year.” She studies the virus at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill.
The reasons for the resurgance were detailed. These included a “new variant of the virus” which bodies are not used to. Another was the popularity of cruises and other gatherings that the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted.
It’s a bleak picture as they say there is no vaccine in sight. The most advanced model failed a key test and another won’t be ready for several years.
Norovirus is also famously resistant to disinfectants and can live on surfaces for long after it first made contact. Scientists are also worried patients can pick up other viruses along with norovirus, such as covid.
Britain is currently undergoing a tidal wave of flu, as the number of hospitalisations quadrupled in a month. And the dire situation is likely to get worse before it gets better as the nation is set to get more cold weather soon.
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