Nottinghamshire identified as diarrhoea HOTSPOT after second highest rate of cases across region

The county has been identified as a diarrhoea hotspot with the second highest rate of cases across the East Midlands, according to Public Health England data provided by doctors.
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Nottinghamshire is revealed as a hotspot for diarrhoea in the past week, according to a surveillance system designed to spot early signs of infectious disease outbreaks.

Doctors in the county reported seeing 42 patients with diarrhoea during the week to November 8.

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Public Health England monitors levels of cases through its GP surgery symptoms tracker.

Nottinghamshire has been identified as a diarrhoea hotspot, based on the most recent data provided from Public Health England.Nottinghamshire has been identified as a diarrhoea hotspot, based on the most recent data provided from Public Health England.
Nottinghamshire has been identified as a diarrhoea hotspot, based on the most recent data provided from Public Health England.

The latest data from the government health body shows cases of toilet trouble increased in Nottinghamshire over the latest week, up 83 per cent on the week before.

Diarrhoea was more common in the area than almost any other council in the East Midlands, with 23.7 cases per 100,000 people compared to a regional average of 18.2.

When compared to the England average, the number of diarrhoea cases seen in Nottinghamshire was above seven per cent higher than would be expected.

What causes diarrhoea?

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There are numerous causes of diarrhoea including viruses, bacterial infections, and even parasites.

Diarrhoea can be a symptom of norovirus, known as the winter vomiting bug, a highly contagious stomach virus which runs rampant in the colder months.

It is one of the many viruses which cause gastroenteritis – an infection of the gastrointestinal tract that leads to diarrhoea and vomiting.

Both gastroenteritis and vomiting are tracked separately in the surveillance system.

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In Nottinghamshire, doctors saw 5 cases of vomiting per 100,000 people in the latest week – 50 per cent lower than the England average.

For gastroenteritis, there were 37.3 cases per 100,000, 18 per cent above the national rate.

What about the rest of the East Midlands?

The council areas in the East Midlands ranked from highest to lowest diarrhoea prevalence last week are:

- Derby with 37.6 cases per 100,000 people

- Derbyshire with 21.9 cases per 100,000 people

- Nottingham with 20.9 cases per 100,000 people

- Northamptonshire with 20.6 cases per 100,000 people

- Lincolnshire with 17.2 cases per 100,000 people

- Leicester with 8.8 cases per 100,000 people

- Leicestershire with 7.7 cases per 100,000 people

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.