Officials reported 91 suspected or confirmedĀ norovirus outbreaksĀ over the first week of December. This is the highest level seen at this time of year since at least 2012, and one of the highest case loads reported at any time of year over the last 12 years.
Outbreaks of highly contagious norovirus are up in the U.S. Also known as the “winter vomiting bug” or “stomach flu,” the seasonal illness is at its highest recorded level this time of year for more than a decade.
As this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data only currently covers 15 states, it doesn’t give a comprehensive picture of norovirus across the country. Increasing numbers of cases may be influenced by more states joining the program over the years.
Nonetheless, it reflects peaks and trends in the spread of the virus, which usually circulates more widely between November and April every year. The U.S. reports around 2,500 outbreaks a year, typically peaking in February.
This year, it appears its hitting harder, earlier, possibly as more people get together “for the first time in several years,” experts told Fortune magazine.
Many countries are seeing an uptick in several seasonal viruses as people mingle more over the holidays than they did during the pandemic.
Diseases like flu and respiratory illness RSV are all on the up and, although it doesn’t represent the same threat it once did, COVID-19 is circulating widely.Ā Relatively high levels of whooping cough, which can be deadly for infants, are also of concern to public health experts.
Countries like the U.K. have issued numerous public statements to encourage members of the public to get vaccinated against illnesses and practice everyday hygiene measures to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
Officials in the country’s public health system says they’re battling a “quad-demic” of flu, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus, with 95% of England’s hospital beds full by early December.
Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the U.S. Although it’s often referred to as “stomach flu,” it’s not related to influenza.
The virus spreads via tiny particles of infected fecal matter that enter the mouth. This means you can catch it by eating or drinking something contaminated with the virus and by touching your mouth after you’ve touched a contaminated surface like a doorknob.
If you’re looking after someone with the disease, it can be easy to catch it yourself.
