Fair warning, the symptoms of norovirus are not dinner table friendly if you’re in the middle of a Christmas meal.
MINNESOTA, USA — The Minnesota Department of Health is putting out a holiday warning: norovirus outbreaks are double what they usually are this time of year.
Fair warning, the symptoms of norovirus are not dinner table friendly if you’re in the middle of a Christmas meal.
“We have more than 40 outbreaks in December alone,” said Dr. Carlota Medus, the health department’s senior supervisor for the foodborne diseases unit.
Medus said that means there are around 1,000 recorded cases.
“Norovirus is a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. A lot of people refer to it as a stomach flu, but when you have the stomach flu, you don’t have influenza. You actually have norovirus,” said Medus.
Medus’ theory for the spike is the virus recently changed into a new strain, but it is too early to say for certain.
Norovirus is spread very easily.
“When people are sick or recently ill, the virus comes out in their stool,” said Medus. “Or they’re still vomiting. In their vomit, and you can contaminate your hands, and when contaminates your hands, then you can contaminate the food that you prepare for others, or you can contaminate a surface.”
Luckily people who get it recover on their own in a day or two, but you can still be contagious days later.
“If you come in contact with a contaminated surface, washing your own hands will prevent you from getting sick,” said Medus. “If you’re currently ill, you really shouldn’t go to the family gathering. And if you do go do your family gathering and you’re recently ill. You really shouldn’t bring food that you prepared.”
