They're the most common cause of stomach bugs (gastroenteritis) in the UK. Each year, it's estimated that between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK catch norovirus. The illness is sometimes called the winter vomiting bug because it's more common in winter. However, you can catch the virus at any time of the year.hey're the most common cause of stomach bugs (gastroenteritis) in the UK. Each year, it's estimated that between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK catch norovirus. The illness is sometimes called the winter vomiting bug because it's more common in winter. However, you can catch the virus at any time of the year.
On the contrary, individuals who are carriers for the sickle cell disease (with one sickle gene and one normal hemoglobin gene, also known as sickle cell trait) have some protective advantage against malaria.
Various explanations have been given for this phenomenon 1  â. When the malaria parasite enters the bloodstream of a person with sickle cell trait, the red blood cells break down and do not allow the parasite to continue its lifecycle.