Norovirus Spreading Across Several Parts of US, Northeast Region Hit Hard

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the stomach virus known as the “norovirus” is spreading across the northeastern region of the US, affecting the region harder than other parts of the country which have recently reported a surge in norovirus cases.

A report by the Hill said three-week average positive tests for norovirus in the region reached 13.9% in the recent week and is holding a 10% positive rate since the middle of December 2023.

As the northeastern US experiences a high number of positive norovirus cases, data released by the CDC shows that other regions are also witnessing positive tests in recent weeks too. The Southern US saw 9.5% tests return positive results, the Midwestern US saw 10% of the tests turned positive and Western US saw about 12% tests return positive.

Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhoea and foodborne illness in the United States, the CDC said. The virus can infect people of all ages and the illness spreads “very easily and quickly.”

The CDC also highlighted that people can get infected by norovirus many times in their lifetime because there are many different types of the virus. Becoming infected with “one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types,” the advisory highlighted.

The advisory further explained that people may develop immunity against specific types of norovirus but it’s not known how long a protection may last.

Norovirus outbreaks occur frequently during late fall, winter and early spring. The symptoms include fever, headache, dehydration and body aches.

The CDC urged people to wash their hands well with soap and water, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with bleach, and washing laundry with hot water to prevent the spread of norovirus.

The US records 19 to 21 million illnesses caused by the norovirus each year between the months of November to April. The CDC said that around 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths are reported every year from norovirus, most commonly among older adults, the CDC said.