Cases of gastroenteritis rising in Leeds according to GP data

Cases of the diarrhoea and vomit-causing condition are tracked by a Public Health England surveillance system designed to spot early signs of infectious disease outbreaks in a population.

GPs in Leeds saw 147 patients suffering from gastroenteritis – inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can also cause stomach pain – during the week to November 22.

That was an increase of six per cent compared to the previous week, and means 32.9 in every 100,000 people in the area had symptoms.

Across Yorkshire and The Humber, an average of 32.9 in every 100,000 people were afflicted.

The number of cases in Leeds was nine per cent higher than what would be expected when compared to the national average.

What causes gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis can be caused by many different viruses or bacterial infections, and even parasites.

The most common viral cause is norovirus, known as the winter vomiting bug, which is highly contagious and runs rampant in the colder months.

E.coli and salmonella are two of the most common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis.

What about the rest of Yorkshire and The Humber?

The council areas in Yorkshire and The Humber ranked from highest to lowest gastroenteritis prevalence last week are:

Rotherham - 55.9 per 100,000

York - 53.8 per 100,000

North East Lincolnshire - 52.2 per 100,000

East Riding of Yorkshire - 47.3 per 100,000

Calderdale - 40.7 per 100,000

North Yorkshire - 40.2 per 100,000

Kingston upon Hull, City of - 40.1 per 100,000

Kirklees - 37.7 per 100,000

Doncaster - 33.7 per 100,000

North Lincolnshire - 30 per 100,000

Wakefield - 27.1 per 100,000

Bradford - 23.1 per 100,000

Sheffield - 22.8 per 100,000

Barnsley - 20.2 per 100,000