Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a surge in cases of norovirus, a common stomach virus, across the northeastern region of the United States.
According to reports from The Hill citing CDC statistics, the three-week average of positive norovirus tests in the area has escalated to 13.9 percent in recent weeks and has remained above a 10 percent positivity rate since mid-December 2023.
The rise in norovirus cases is not confined to the Northeast alone, as other regions of the country have also experienced upticks in positive tests. The South reported a rate of 9.5 percent, the Midwest hovered around 10 percent, and the West indicated approximately 12 percent positivity, as mentioned in The Hill's report.
Norovirus, as highlighted by the CDC, stands as a prominent cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illnesses in the United States. The virus spreads rapidly and easily, affecting individuals of all age groups.
The CDC advisory underscores that individuals can contract norovirus multiple times throughout their lives due to its diverse strains. While exposure to one strain may provide some immunity, it does not guarantee protection against other variants, and the duration of immunity remains uncertain.
Outbreaks of norovirus typically peak during late fall, winter, and early spring. Symptoms extend beyond gastrointestinal issues and may include fever, headache, dehydration, and body aches.
CDC data underscores the significant burden of norovirus on public health, estimating between 19 to 21 million cases annually in the US, resulting in around 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths, with older adults being particularly vulnerable.
