Cases of the highly contagious norovirus are on the rise in the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant jump in outbreaks in early December, according to the Associated Press. For the week of Dec. 6, the CDC reported 91 outbreaks across the U.S., up from 69 outbreaks in the final week of December.
An outbreak is defined as “An occurrence of two or more similar illnesses resulting from a common exposure that is either suspected or laboratory-confirmed to be caused by norovirus,” according to the CDC website.
While it’s unclear how many people were sickened as part of the outbreaks, data from prior years shows a maximum of 65 outbreaks reported in the first week of December.
What is norovirus and how do you get it?
Norovirus is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, according to the CDC. There are several types of norovirus which can impact each person differently and the different types can vary in severity depending on the person sickened. As few as 10 viral particles can cause a person to get sick, which helps norovirus in being the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.
Norovirus is spread by having direct contact with someone who already has the virus. This can be done by sharing utensils, food or eating food handled by someone infected. You can also contract it by touching items or surfaces that are contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth.
An estimated 19 to 21 million cases of norovirus happen each year, with an average of 900 deaths and 109,000 hospitalizations annually, mostly among adults aged 65 and older, according to the AP.
What are the symptoms of norovirus and how long does it take to feel better?
Symptoms tend to appear between 12 to 48 hours after exposure according to the CDC. The most common symptoms are: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headaches and body aches.
Dehydration can also be caused by norovirus and the CDC says those symptoms include: decreased urination, dry mouth, dizziness and sleeplessness.
Most people recover from norovirus within three days of becoming sick, but can spread the virus for days afterward. There is no specific treatment for norovirus.
How do you prevent catching norovirus?
The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently and thoroughly to prevent illness. Any shellfish you eat should be cooked thoroughly and all fruits and vegetables need to be washed prior to being eaten. You should also be sure to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces and wash your laundry in hot water.
If you’ve been sick yourself, you should stay home for 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped in order to prevent further spread.
For more information, visit the CDC website on norovirus.
