Norovirus cases growing in the US – here is what health officials advise to avoid it

Norovirus cases are surging in the U.S. this winter, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 91 outbreaks of the unpleasant stomach bug reported during the week of December 5, the most recent period data was available, which is up from 69 outbreaks in the last week of November.

The CDC said the figures exceeded previous 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,” the agency said.

The highly contagious bug brings on sudden vomiting and diarrhea, which can also cause severe dehydration.

While the majority of people will recover within a few days, every year norovirus causes 900 deaths, mostly among adults aged over 65 and older, according to CDC data.

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The virus causes 465,000 emergency department visits, which are mostly young children.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix or medication to treat norovirus so experts say rehydration and plenty of rest is key if you do catch it.

The good news is there are basic hygiene steps you can take to prevent your chances of catching it this winter.

Health officials recommend washing your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds, particularly after using the toilet or changing diapers, before eating, preparing or handling food, or before giving yourself or someone else in your care medicine.

The CDC warns that hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus.

Dr. Leana Wen, former health commissioner in Baltimore, advised on how people can best protect themselves against norovirus on CBS News’s Face the Nation.

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“Wash your hands really well, especially if you’re going to buffets. Wash your hands if you’re touching commonly touched surfaces, before you touch your mouth, before you touch your nose,” Wen said.

“Norovirus is the most common foodborne illness here in the US. It’s very hard to avoid once it’s in your family. And, also, don’t prepare food if you’re having vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, because you don’t want to spread it to other people.”

The virus is relatively resistant to heat and can survive temperatures as high as 145°F, so quick steaming processes will not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses, the CDC says.

And remember that food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal.

If someone in your household contracts norovirus and has been unwell, wear disposable gloves when cleaning up and mop the area with paper towels. Throw them in the trash immediately.

Disinfect the area using a chlorine bleach solution and leave it there for five minutes before cleaning the area again for at least five minutes, guidance on the CDC website says.

When doing laundry, wash items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting.