Health experts have admitted being puzzled by the pre-Christmas surge in cases of the sickness virus, norovirus.
Nearly 500 extra cases were confirmed by laboratories in the week before Christmas.
And some 70 hospitals reported outbreaks.
The Health Protection Agency says the winter surge normally takes place in January – but the UK outbreak reflects global trends.
It says the early increase in cases has been seen across European and Japan – while an outbreak of the virus in Australia has continued into the summer.
It says it has not been able to determine if there are specific causes for the outbreak.
In total some 3,538 cases have been confirmed by UK laboratories since the summer.
John Harris, of the Health Protection Agency, 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."
He added: “Norovirus is very contagious, and very unpleasant. To help prevent spread of the disease, it’s important that people who believe they are unwell with the virus maintain good hand hygiene and stay away from hospitals, schools and care homes, as these closed environments are particularly prone to outbreaks which can cause severe disruption.”
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