The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that the current outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting in the city is a norovirus outbreak.

HPA said on Saturday that the norovirus is a very rapidly spreading virus. The virus has been found to spread very easily, especially in closed places or crowded places.

Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea, vomiting, chest pain, abdominal pain and cough and headaches sometimes.

According to health reports, symptoms appear between 12 and 48 hours after the virus enters the body and recovery takes between one and three days. However, there is still a possibility of spreading the virus to others.

HPA urged the public to frequently wash hands with soap as hand sanitiser alone is ineffective against the virus. Furthermore, HPA stated that areas with vomit or faeces should be cleaned thoroughly with bleach. HPA advised the public to avoid going to public spaces if a person is showing symptoms of Norovirus