February 27, 2024 – Norovirus infection rates have increased across the country, as they typically do that time of yr, with the biggest declines occurring within the northeastern states.
In this region, greater than 13% of norovirus tests have been positive for the reason that end of January. In western states, the test positivity rate has been over 12% in recent weeks, in response to the WHO CDC Norovirus Regional Trends Report.
According to information from the last three weeks, the positive test rate within the southern states is about 9% and within the Midwest it’s about 10%. Food Safety News reported.
Norovirus is believed to be essentially the most common reason for acute gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting) worldwide. It spreads easily through food and drinks.
According to the CDC, noroviruses cause about 19 to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis within the United States annually and end in greater than 450,000 people going to the emergency room.
It can strike all yr round but is more common in winter. Sometimes it is usually called winter sickness virus or stomach flu. It can be called food poisoning, but contaminated food isn’t all the time the cause.
The incubation period of norovirus is roughly 12 to 48 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting (more common in children), watery diarrhea (more common in adults), and stomach cramps.
“The most common locations for norovirus outbreaks include restaurants and catered events (36%), nursing homes (23%), schools (13%), and vacation resorts or cruise ships (10%),” Food Safety News wrote. “Proper handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus.”
People grow to be infected once they eat or drink contaminated food food and beverages. Some outbreaks have been blamed on raw or undercooked oysters and raw vegatables and fruits. You may also grow to be infected for those who touch an object or surface infected with the virus after which touch your nose, mouth, etc Eyes.
There isn’t any specific treatment for norovirus, which often goes away inside a number of days.