As we step into the year 2025, a familiar foe is making an unwelcome comeback.

Often mistaken for the stomach flu, this virus is rearing its ugly head with a vengeance, causing a spike in outbreaks across the United States.

This highly contagious illness is notorious for causing a suite of unpleasant symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Let's delve into what's happening with norovirus and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm: norovirus outbreaks are surging to levels not seen in over a decade.

With 91 outbreaks reported in just one week of January 2025, we're witnessing more than double the number of cases compared to the same period in the past three years.

“This year, the number of reported norovirus outbreaks have exceeded the numbers that we’ve seen recently and in the years before the pandemic,” a CDC spokesperson said.

Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting disease, tends to rear its head between November and April, thriving in the cooler months when people are more likely to gather indoors.

“It’s also called the winter vomiting disease, which emphasizes the seasonality of norovirus. It can occur during the summer, but it really does increase in the winter,” Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center stated.

Norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, is surging across the United States with a record number of outbreaks reported for early December, the highest since 2012. Image source: unknownuserpanama / Pixabay.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis, leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

In the U.S., norovirus causes an average of 19–21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually, said the CDC.

Despite its nickname, it's not related to the flu, which affects the respiratory system. Norovirus symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can be quite severe. They include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Nausea

Less common symptoms may include a low-grade fever, chills, fatigue, and body aches.

The illness is usually short-lived, with symptoms lasting one to three days, but it can be particularly harsh, leaving individuals feeling miserable and dehydrated.

While norovirus is generally not life-threatening, it can lead to severe dehydration, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults, young children, and those with compromised immune systems.

Dehydration can manifest as decreased urination, dry mouth, dizziness, and in children, crying without tears, dry lips, or sunken eyes.

Norovirus is incredibly infectious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth.

It's also possible to contract the virus by inhaling particles from an infected person's vomit. The virus is notorious for its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods, making it a challenge to contain, especially in places like schools, cruise ships, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities.

There's no specific treatment for norovirus, but symptoms can be managed with rest and rehydration through water, sports drinks, and oral rehydration solutions.

In severe cases, medical attention and intravenous fluids may be necessary.

Source: WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7 / Youtube.​

Prevention is key, and here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food.
• Cook shellfish thoroughly to kill any potential viruses.
• Stay home if you're feeling ill to prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Avoid preparing food for others while you're sick.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
• Wash soiled clothing and linens in hot water.

From August 1, 2024, to December 11, 2024, the CDC's NoroSTAT surveillance program, which monitors norovirus activity, reported a worrying 495 outbreaks in just 14 states.

The CDC's data also reveals that the average norovirus test positivity rate has risen to 22% for the week ending December 21, a significant jump from the 12% recorded during the same week the previous year. This increase in test positivity rates is a strong indicator that the virus is spreading more widely.

Key Takeaways

• Norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, is surging across the United States with a record number of outbreaks reported for early December, the highest since 2012.
• The virus is highly contagious and typically spreads through contact with infected people, or contaminated food, drinks, or surfaces, and causes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
• People are advised to take preventative measures such as thorough hand washing, cooking shellfish thoroughly, and disinfecting contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution.
• There is currently no vaccine available for norovirus, but supportive care such as rehydration is key for managing symptoms, and research into developing a vaccine is ongoing.

Have you or someone you know been affected by norovirus? Do you have tips for staying healthy during the winter months? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!

 

[Summerayne]

In other words, this is the old-fashioned flu that has been around since I can remember when. We always get a flu that hits hard right after the big holiday season where people have been out in crowds, activities and family gatherings. Once COVID-19 became the big thing by BigPharma, the old-fashioned flu was forgotten. Now we see it is here but with a fancy new name. Common sense tells us what we need to do. We don't need the government telling us what a stomach virus is.