Tens of thousands of people across Australia are likely to be caught up in a major new epidemic of viral gastroenteritis, UNSW and Prince of Wales Hospital researchers have warned. Scores of outbreaks caused by the highly infectious norovirus have already occurred in eastern Australia, in some cases forcing hospitals to close their doors to visitors.

People in large families and in group settings - including nursing homes, hospitals and childcare centres - are most at risk. The infection causes vomiting and diarrhoea, usually lasting for about three days. No cure is available.

Source: The University of New South Wales