Norovirus Outbreak Spreads in North Carolina

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Norovirus can spread through contaminated food and water, it is often commonly referred to as "food poisoning" or the "stomach flu" in informal terms. However, norovirus is not related to influenza.

A person can become ill with norovirus with just a few particles on their hands or surfaces, and those who have the illness excrete billions of virus particles in their feces and vomit. Days or even weeks can pass while the virus remains on materials and objects.

Since late January, the region's positivity ratings have exceeded 13%.

Because the virus can potentially spread through contaminated food, it is frequently called "food poisoning." The most common cause of foodborne illness in the nation is norovirus.

In the United States, norovirus epidemics often occur between November and April. The nation sees about 20 million cases annually on average.

Norovirus is a genus of RNA viruses (of the family Caliciviridae), which cause about half of all gastroenteritis cases around the world.Photo byKATERYNA KOM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images

The virus has no known cure, so the CDC advises staying hydrated by ingesting lots of fluids. Usually, the illness clears up after a few days.

Due to possible norovirus contamination, the US Food and Drug Administration issued an alert in January cautioning against the sale and consumption of certain types of oysters from Baja California and Mexico.

Over 200 probable norovirus illnesses have been traced to a North Carolina sushi restaurant in December.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/norovirus-spreading-northeast-cdc-rcna140260

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/24/health/norovirus-cases-increase-northeast/index.html