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| 'One in five' struck by norovirus in Scotland say experts | 'One in five' struck by norovirus in Scotland say experts |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| One in five people in Scotland may have been hit by norovirus in the past year, according to new figures. | One in five people in Scotland may have been hit by norovirus in the past year, according to new figures. |
| The high number of cases has led to hospitals across the country having to close wards to new admissions. | The high number of cases has led to hospitals across the country having to close wards to new admissions. |
| A total of 2,824 cases of norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting bug - were confirmed by laboratories in Scotland in the past 12 months. | |
| For each confirmed case, scientists believe a further 400 people could have been affected. | For each confirmed case, scientists believe a further 400 people could have been affected. |
| That would bring the number of cases estimated cases across Scotland in 2012 to more than one million. | |
| Over the last five years estimated cases have risen by an average of about 25%. | Over the last five years estimated cases have risen by an average of about 25%. |
| Fourteen hospitals across the country have been affected by norovirus in the past week alone, with 18 wards being closed to new admissions. | Fourteen hospitals across the country have been affected by norovirus in the past week alone, with 18 wards being closed to new admissions. |
| 'Scrupulous hygiene' | 'Scrupulous hygiene' |
| Experts say they are not sure why this year has seen such a high number of cases, but it could be the effects of the weather and the ability of the virus to change and adapt which stops patients becoming immune. | Experts say they are not sure why this year has seen such a high number of cases, but it could be the effects of the weather and the ability of the virus to change and adapt which stops patients becoming immune. |
| Health Protection consultant Dr John Cowden told BBC Radio Scotland the best way to protect yourself from the bug could be summed up in three words - "scrupulous personal hygiene". | Health Protection consultant Dr John Cowden told BBC Radio Scotland the best way to protect yourself from the bug could be summed up in three words - "scrupulous personal hygiene". |
| He said: "This is an entirely human germ. It passes from person to person. It is not like salmonella or E. coli that you can get from animals. | He said: "This is an entirely human germ. It passes from person to person. It is not like salmonella or E. coli that you can get from animals. |
| "There are no guarantees and this is a highly infectious germ. So yes you can protect yourself, but you can't guarantee that you will get through the season without an episode." | "There are no guarantees and this is a highly infectious germ. So yes you can protect yourself, but you can't guarantee that you will get through the season without an episode." |
| Nausea followed by vomiting and diarrhoea are the main symptoms of norovirus. | Nausea followed by vomiting and diarrhoea are the main symptoms of norovirus. |
| Those who catch the bug are advised to have plenty of non-alcoholic, non-milky drinks and also take oral rehydration solutions. | Those who catch the bug are advised to have plenty of non-alcoholic, non-milky drinks and also take oral rehydration solutions. |
| Anyone infected should ensure their hands are clean, to prevent the infection spreading, and they should not prepare food for others, particularly babies and the elderly. | Anyone infected should ensure their hands are clean, to prevent the infection spreading, and they should not prepare food for others, particularly babies and the elderly. |