Norovirus Is Again With a Vengeance

The winter is commonly synonymous with chilly and flu season. Sadly, these germs aren’t the one ones spreading broadly round this time of yr. So gird your stomachs and keep looking out for the dreaded norovirus, as a result of it would quickly be operating rampant.

In accordance with the latest surveillance data from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, instances of norovirus are seemingly surging within the U.S. Simply final week, about 14% of lab checks got here again constructive for norovirus, double the speed three months earlier, whereas a number of states at the moment are experiencing comparatively excessive case numbers. These early indicators counsel that the U.S. will expertise a harsh norovirus winter for the second yr in a row.

Abdomen flu on the rise

Although norovirus is commonly related to cruise ships, it’s a ubiquitous and extremely contagious foodborne germ. And it’s been on the rise as of late.

Between August 2024 and July 2025, as an illustration, the CDC documented no less than 2,675 outbreaks within the U.S., virtually double the quantity reported in the identical interval the earlier yr (1,478). Extra not too long ago, the tempo of outbreaks within the fall seemed to settle again down. However norovirus is particularly prevalent through the winter, as extra folks spend time indoors, and the early information isn’t wanting good for a reprieve.

The 14% take a look at positivity charge this mid-November is true across the identical charge noticed throughout the identical time interval final yr. In December 2024, the nation experienced a record-breaking surge of norovirus, with a peak testing charge of almost 25%. In accordance with Epic Analysis’s data tracker, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Oklahoma are presently experiencing the best variety of reported norovirus instances.

What to do about noro

After all, it’s no assure that norovirus this winter will attain or surpass the height seen final yr. However even a comparatively gentle season will result in loads of gastrointestinal misery. Yearly, norovirus causes about 20 million instances of vomiting and diarrhea within the U.S. And although it’s not often deadly, the sickness nonetheless sends roughly 100,000 People to the hospital yearly.

Given all that, it’s at all times prudent to do what you can to cut back your danger of catching and spreading the abdomen flu to others.

You need to at all times wash vegetables and fruit and prepare dinner your shellfish completely, as an illustration. You must also clear your kitchen utensils, reducing boards, and surfaces, particularly after making ready shellfish. And you must completely wash your palms after dealing with raw meals, since norovirus or different foodborne germs could possibly be transmitted by your palms inadvertently touching your mouth later.

And if you happen to’re feeling queasy, you must keep away from direct contact with folks if attainable and constantly wash your palms with cleaning soap and water (hand sanitizer is not going to work in opposition to norovirus).

All that is perhaps simpler mentioned than finished with Thanksgiving and the vacations coming proper up. However as anybody who’s had norovirus can attest, it’s an expertise that you must attempt to keep away from as a lot as attainable. Talking personally, I’m crossing my fingers that scientists finally figure out easy methods to make an efficient norovirus vaccine sooner relatively than later.