According to the data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Norovirus typically known as Stomach virus is presently spreading in the northeast region of the US.

As per the CDC data, in the three-week average, the positive tests of Norovirus in the northeast region have reached 13.9 percent in recent weeks and since mid-December 2023 it has remained above 10 percent positive rate. In recent weeks other areas of the US have also reported positive tests for Norovirus, in which the South has reported 9.5 percent positive tests, around 10 percent in the Midwest, and roughly 12 percent in the West.

According to the CDC, Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. It can spread very easily and quickly and people of all ages can get infected and sick with Norovirus. The Norovirus outbreaks in the US arose from November to April.

Each year the Norovirus illness causes 900 deaths, 1,09,000 hospitalizations, 4,65,000 emergency department visits, 2.27 million outpatient clinic visits, and 19 to 21 million total illnesses. The virus causes 58 percent of foodborne illnesses in the US. People can be infected with Norovirus illness numerous times in their lives due to the presence of various types of Noroviruses. Infection with one strain of norovirus cannot give protection against other strains.

The symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and other symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches. Norovirus induces inflammation of the stomach or intestine this is called as acute gastroenteritis. The symptoms develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. People can recover from the virus within 1 to 3 days, however, they can still transmit the virus for a few days.

Norovirus spreads through contaminated food, water, sick people with norovirus, and contaminated surfaces. The virus is very contagious, but its transmission is controlled by taking measures like washing hands with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces with bleach, and washing laundry in hot water.

There is no specific medication to treat people who are infected with norovirus. Norovirus illness causes vomiting and diarrhea due to which fluid is lost from the body leading to dehydration. People infected with norovirus should drink plenty of fluids to avert dehydration.

References:

1.   https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/burden.html

2.   https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

 (Input from various sources)

 (Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)