THE number of confirmed cases of the winter-vomiting bug in Scotland increased by around 36% last week.

Figures from Health Protection Scotland show there were 136 notifications of norovirus in the last week, compared to about 100 in previous weeks.

The increase is a jump of around 64% (53 cases) on the average seen at this time of year over the past five years.

The figures came as it was revealed the number of people affected by the illness in England and Wales may have passed one million.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of norovirus has reached 3538 in England and Wales, up from 3046 last week and an 83% increase on the 1934 cases at this time last year.

However, the HPA has said that for every reported occurrence, an estimated 288 cases go unreported, meaning there could be 1.01 million cases, up from just fewer than 880,000 last week.

John Harris, an HPA norovirus expert, said: "The number of laboratory-confirmed cases has risen once again as it appears that we have seen the rise in cases that usually begins in January start a little earlier than we normally expect."

The bug has swept the country and has led to the closure of dozens of hospital wards.

It has also affected holidaymakers on two cruise ships.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces and objects.