Norovirus is on the rise, here’s how to protect yourself

Cases of norovirus — the virulent, wildly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea — are on the rise in the United States, Center for Disease Control says and reports twice as many cases as this time last year.

The CDC reported 91 outbreaks of the virus in the week of Dec. 5, up from 69 the week before — and more than double the previous year’s 41 outbreaks. And on December 23, more than 40 outbreaks of the virus were reported by Minnesota Department of Health.

Although commonly called the stomach flu because of the common symptoms, norovirus is not caused by the flu virus. “You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (feces) or vomit in your mouth from someone who is infected with norovirus.” CDC says. The reason it’s so contagious is that when you’re sick, “you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can’t see without a microscope,” the agency explains.

“It only takes a few norovirus particles to make you and other people sick.”

The virus causes acute gastroenteritis – an inflammation of the stomach or intestines – which causes diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Although most people recover in three days or less, the CDC says that someone who had norovirus can still be contagious for days after they recover.

It was behind a recent outbreak in California where at least 80 people became ill from raw oysters served at an event. And in Hawaii, the virus caused a popular hiking spot to close after dozens of campers became ill from the virus.

To limit your risk of getting the virus, the CDC recommends washing your hands — but warns that hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against the virus. The agency also says to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption and cook oysters and other shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145°F, which is the temperature at which norovirus — which is resistant to heat — finally begins to die.

Although there is no specific treatment for norovirus, Mayo Clinic advises to stay hydrated; Severe cases may require medical intervention for intravenous rehydration.

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