Norovirus is on the rise in Northern California, with numerous individuals experiencing severe symptoms.
This virus, known for its high contagiousness, is making its way through areas like western San Francisco, Marin, Novato, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and some regions of Redwood City and San Jose.
Often referred to as gastroenteritis or the winter vomiting bug, norovirus leads to vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes even convulsions, affecting people regardless of age.
Recently, there were reports of 153 fatalities linked to norovirus aboard a Princess Cruises ship with American passengers in the Caribbean.
Additionally, WastewaterSCAN has indicated that the virus is widespread in the Bay Area, having detected traces in various treatment facilities throughout the region.
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert from the University of California, San Francisco, mentioned that “it’s highly contagious,” emphasizing that handwashing, particularly among children, often doesn’t happen.
She noted that the virus can spread in crowded places like salad bars and cruise ships, and it doesn’t depend on the weather conditions.
In fact, just last week, over 150 passengers on the Star Princess cruise ship reported norovirus symptoms during a Caribbean voyage.
This outbreak occurred on the ship’s journey from March 7 to March 14, as per the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which tracks illnesses on cruise lines.
Out of 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members aboard, a reported 104 passengers and 49 crew members fell ill.
The CDC was informed about the outbreak on March 11, shortly after the cruise began.
