Norovirus cases on the rise in the US: What you need to know about this stomach bug

Case of norovirusa highly contagious stomach virus, is on the rise in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the week of December 5 saw 91 outbreaks, up significantly from 69 the previous week and well above the three-year average of 65 in early December.
Norovirus, often called the “winter vomiting bug,” causes sudden bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Additional symptoms may include nausea, abdominal pain, body aches, headache and fever.
The virus spreads quickly, with as few as 10 viral particles capable of infecting someone, AP writes.
According to the CDC, it is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for 58% of such cases annually.
Outbreaks are common in crowded environments such as cruise ships, nursing homes, schools, and prisons. It is spread primarily through direct contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food, water or surfaces.
Those infected typically develop symptoms within 12 to 48 hours and recover in one to three days, but the virus can cause severe dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
According to the AP, norovirus causes 19-21 million illnesses in the United States each year, with approximately 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk, where dehydration is a major risk.
There is no medicine to treat norovirus.