A variant of the norovirus discovered last year in 2012 in Australia has spread to the level it is prepared to overtake all other noroviruses in Europe.

The variant, Sydney 2012, has been identified by genetic testing in England as causing more cases of “winter vomiting disease” than any other virus. The virus causes violent and projectile vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, headaches and stomach cramps.

Cases have risen significantly faster than expected in the UK and across Europe. In addition to the major European outbreaks in England and France, the virus is also showing significant inroads in New Zealand and Japan.

In the United States, noroviruses similar to Sydney 2012 cause 21 million illnesses a year and around 800 deaths. The nature of the virus makes it very hard to contain and control.