The NYC Department of Health reported a surge in Norovirus cases, observing 2,300 infections between October 2024 to December 2024, more than double the 1,000 cases recorded during the same time the year prior.
However, the virus hasn’t just surged in New York, but across the United States. The CDC reported that the amount of suspected and confirmed outbreaks of Norovirus across the country in the first week of December 2024 was the highest recorded for that week since 2012.
Although Norovirus is highly contagious, there are prevention methods to deter it from spreading further.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation to the stomach and intestines. It is otherwise known as the “stomach bug.”
Norovirus is not related to the flu, that deals with the influenza virus.
Since there are different types of Norovirus, it’s very possible to get it multiple times in your life, as the infection from one type isn’t guaranteed to protect you from others.
Why is Norovirus so high in NYC right now?
“Norovirus classically increases in the winter months for many reasons, but the major one is that everyone is congregating indoors, especially with the holidays,” explains Scott Roberts, Yale Medicine infectious diseases expert.
How does Norovirus spread?
Those with the Norovirus can shed billions of infected particles, so tiny you’d need a microscope to see. Yet, it only takes a few Norovirus particles to get someone sick.
Norovirus most commonly spreads through contaminated food (ex. infected persons touch food with bare hands), contaminated water (ex. infected persons vomit or poop in the water), or contaminated surfaces (ex. infected persons touch surfaces with bare hands). Norovirus can affect people of all ages.
What are symptoms of Norovirus?
Symptoms of Norovirus include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach Pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Chills
- Tiredness
According to the CDC, infected persons are most contagious while showing symptoms and during the early days of recovery. Norovirus can still be spread up to two weeks after feeling better.
How is Norovirus treated?
There is no medicine that specifically combats Norovirus. Most people infected with Norovirus recover in one to three days on their own. However, medicine can be taken to alleviate diarrhea and vomiting. And since diarrhea and vomiting dehydrates people, be sure to drink plenty of fluids.