Laboratory reports of norovirus in Scotland

Management information

Published: 15 October 2026 (Latest release)
Type: Statistical report
Author: Public Health Scotland

Conditions and diseases

From 8 October 2026, national trends are presented as population rates to support comparisons over time and across populations, with 95% confidence intervals around the five-year average to aid interpretation of whether activity is within expected levels.

It should be noted laboratory surveillance primarily reflects hospital testing so these data provide a broad indicator of norovirus activity rather than a complete measure of population burden or community transmission.

Feedback or queries can be directed to the PHS Gastrointestinal Infections & Zoonoses team at phs.giz@phs.scot.

Interpretation notes

Laboratory reports include confirmed infections acquired in both community and closed and semi-closed settings such as care homes, nurseries, schools and hospitals but predominantly reflect individuals tested in hospital settings.
Laboratory confirmations represent just a small proportion of the true incidence of norovirus in the community as most cases will experience a relatively mild self-limiting illness and will not require medical attention and receive a laboratory test.
These laboratory reports are based on real-time data and therefore the data for 2026 is provisional and subject to revision.
Data for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 periods are not included in the five-year average due to the impact of COVID-19 interventions on norovirus infection incidence and surveillance.
Data for historic years not included in this report are available on the PHS website.

About this release

This report by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents provisional weekly and cumulative numbers of laboratory-confirmed reports of norovirus infection in Scotland and an overview of seasonal activity compared with previous seasons. Data are available up to the end of ISO week 41 (week ending 11 October 2026), although data for the most recent week may be incomplete and subject to revision. Laboratory reports are submitted by Scottish diagnostic laboratories to PHS through the Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS). These data do not provide a complete measure of population burden or community transmission but serve as a broad indicator of norovirus activity in Scotland.

Background

Norovirus is a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis that results in diarrhoea and/or vomiting. As it is most common during the winter months, norovirus is sometimes known as the 'winter vomiting bug', but infections can occur at any time of year. It spreads rapidly in community settings such as schools, care homes and hospitals. Norovirus is very contagious and is spread predominantly through direct contact with an infected individual, touching contaminated surfaces and objects and consumption of contaminated food. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days however infection can be more serious for the very young and elderly. For further information see norovirus page on PHS website.

Main points

Norovirus activity in the most recent two-week period (weeks 40-41) was below seasonal expectations, with 0.18 and 0.16 laboratory reports per 100,000 population (Figure 1). Cumulative reports to week 41 total 134, compared with 143 in 2025/26 and a five-year average of 210 (Figure 2). Population rates and cumulative numbers reflect laboratory-confirmed reports of norovirus infection and should not be interpreted as the population incidence of norovirus. Data for the most recent week may be incomplete and subject to revision. See interpretation notes for further information.

Line chart showing norovirus laboratory reports per 100,000 population by ISO week, comparing 2026/2027 reports with five-season average and 95% confidence limits. — Image caption **Figure 1 - laboratory reports per 100,000 population**

Line graph showing cumulative norovirus laboratory reports by ISO week across seasons, comparing 2024/25, 2025/26, 2026/27, and five-season average. — Image caption **Figure 2 - cumulative laboratory reports of norovirus by week**

Further information

General enquiries

If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please contact Lynda Browning at phs.giz@phs.scot.

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Older versions of this publication

Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.