Health officials have given parents back-to-school advice after the half-term break.

Advice from UKHSA South West ranges from teaching good hygiene habits to stopping the spread of bugs and knowing when to keep your child at home.

Officials said they have seen an increase in flu and norovirus cases, with double the five-year average for the time of year.

Dr Alasdair Wood, a health protection consultant, said only “simple steps” were needed to reduce the spread of most of these infections.

“Every winter, we see an increase in acute respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses,” he said.

“By following advice on good hygiene habits, knowing when to keep your child away from school and taking the opportunity to get vaccinated, parents are protecting their children and the wider school community.”

Parents are asked to encourage “good hygiene habits”, including regular hand washing and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes.

The UKHSA said children with fever, diarrhea and vomiting should stay at home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms disappear.

Children with runny noses, sore throats or mild coughs are said to be encouraged to go to school, daycare or childcare.

Using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help prevent the spread of the bugs, along with washing hands with soap, health officials added.

The UKHSA also urged parents to make sure their children are up to date on vaccinations, adding that it continues to see cases of measles, which could be “easily prevented”.