The Borough of Broxbourne Council has warned people in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, to take extra care after a sharp rise in norovirus activity. National surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show laboratory-confirmed norovirus reports rose by about 47% in the first two weeks of 2026 compared with the previous fortnight, and local health officials are particularly concerned about people aged 65 and over.
Symptoms usually start suddenly and include feeling sick, vomiting (which can be sudden and sometimes forceful) and watery diarrhoea. People may also experience a high temperature, headache, tummy pain and body aches. UKHSA has said multiple norovirus genotypes are co-circulating this season, which can make reinfection more likely.
To stop the spread, residents are urged to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water — alcohol-based hand sanitisers do not reliably kill norovirus. Anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting should stay at home and avoid visiting hospitals or care homes until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
The NHS advises people not to attend GP surgeries or hospitals with norovirus symptoms to avoid passing the infection on. If you need medical advice, use NHS 111 online or call 111. Seek urgent advice if you have signs of dehydration (for example, dizziness or passing very little urine), if vomiting or diarrhoea is severe or prolonged, or if there is blood in vomit or stools.
Sources: UK Health Security Agency weekly surveillance bulletin; NHS norovirus guidance; Borough of Broxbourne communications.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
