Norovirus Cases Are Currently Growing

There’s one potential party guest you’ll want to avoid on New Year’s Eve: the norovirus. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that norovirus outbreaks are being reported in the US.

According to the CDC recent reviewthere were 91 norovirus outbreaks reported nationally in the first week of December, which is higher than in previous weeks. This data only gives a small picture of how widespread norovirus is in the US right now, but 2024 was the worst year for cases of the stomach virus.

Although norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, it is a common cause of gastrointestinal problems everywhere. It is a very contagious problem a major cause of foodborne illness in the US, it often sends people to their beds and toilets with diarrhea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms that last up to three days. Although the cases are often dangerous, about 100,000 Americans are hospitalized for it each year.

Like many other diseases, norovirus suffered a bit of a hiatus in the early years of the covid-19 pandemic, due to increased human exposure. As people’s lives and habits have returned to normal, however, norovirus and other germs have developed. invalid return. But 2024 has been a success even compared to the current situation.

According to the CDCthere were 495 norovirus outbreaks reported in the US between August and December this year, which is higher than the 363 norovirus outbreaks reported in the same months in 2023. Norovirus cases can occur at any time, but the disease begins to rise between November and April in the US And the number of outbreaks reported so far this season is higher than those seen at the same time in recent seasons, since 2012.

These reports are only part of the picture. The CDC’s surveillance system only includes outbreaks reported by health departments in 14 states (a complete list can be viewed Here). And most cases of norovirus are rarely reported, because people often just wait out their symptoms without going to the doctor. Therefore, outside of the outbreaks it is obvious where the food comes from (like the latest the spread of other snails), it can be difficult to know when and where norovirus strikes.

Another important factor is our low immunity to norovirus. There are several strains of norovirus that circulate at any given time, and being recently infected with one strain may not protect you from others. Our immunity to certain problems also diminishes over time, perhaps stay for several months for some less fortunate people.

People can to take action to reduce the risk of spreading and catching norovirus, however. If you have vomiting or diarrhoea, for example, you should avoid close contact with people if possible and wash your hands with soap regularly. Don’t use hand sanitizer instead, because the bacteria’s structure makes it resistant to alcohol. And you should avoid cooking food for others for a while even if you feel better, since the virus can be shed in the toilet for two weeks or more.

While it may be difficult to prevent partygoers from ignoring these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of contracting norovirus from food. Always wash your fruits and vegetables and cook your shellfish thoroughly. You should always clean your kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces, especially after preparing shellfish. And you should wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw food, as norovirus or other food-borne germs can be unknowingly transferred from your hands to your mouth later.

There are scientists and pharmaceutical companies working on a norovirus vaccine, and more are on the way delayed clinical trials. So with any luck, the dangers of norovirus will one day be a distant memory.