More than half a million people have contracted norovirus already this winter as cases are 64 per cent higher than this time last year, official figures show.
The winter vomiting bug has struck early this year with cases running at a level normally seen about a month later in the season.
Calculations show that around 666,144 people have fallen ill so far this winter.
Laboratory tests have confirmed norovirus in 2,313 cases up until December 2nd, compared with 1,412 cases at the same point last year, Health Protection Agency figures show.
As most samples sent for analysis come from care homes and hospitals, officials work on a ratio of one laboratory case probably means there are a further 288 cases among people who do not seek medical treatment and are not tested.
It is not known why the norovirus season has begun early this year and if the poor summer weather may have played a role.
It has been suggested that more sensitive testing methods are now confirming more cases than previously.
Despite the rise in laboratory cases, the number of outbreaks in hospitals has dropped slightly from 53 in the two weeks until November 25 to 40 in the two weeks until December 2nd.
Experts said this was not necessarily a reflection that the season is peaking and that outbreaks do vary throughout the winter.
Norovirus outbreaks can cripple hospital services as staff take sick leave and wards have to be closed to new patients while those already in beds recover and the area is deep cleaned.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.
Symptoms include a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhea. Some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps. The illness usually resolves in one or two days and there are no long-term effects.
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