Drivers of the increase in norovirus cases may include a new strain, but continued precautions, good hygiene, can help reduce risk.
Norovirus cases continue to rise in the United States this winter, at levels higher than the same time period in previous years, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .monitoring system show 495 reported outbreaks during the period from August 1, 2024, to December 11, 2024, compared with 363 outbreaks during the same period last year.
The numbers for the 2024 norovirus season have reached or exceeded the case numbers seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mirza said. When treating a patient with norovirus during an outbreak, use soap and water for hand hygiene after caring for patients with suspected or confirmed norovirus gastroenteritis, said Mirza. If norovirus infection is suspected, PPE use is recommended for individuals in the patient care area, she added.
“Infection control measures, such as thorough hand washing, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with bleach, and patient isolation and contact precautions in congregate or healthcare settings are the best ways to prevent norovirus and keep it from spreading to others,” Mirza toldRemind patients that alcohol-based hand sanitizer is ineffective against norovirus, because the virus’s protective protein shell prevents the alcohol from penetrating and inactivating the virus, Mirza emphasized.
Diarrhea Diarrhoea Outbreak Norwalk Virus Norovirus COVID-19 2019 Novel Coronavirus 2019-Ncov Wuhan Coronavirus Human Coronavirus HKU1 Human Coronavirus OC43 Hcov-OC43 Human Coronavirus 229E Hcov-229E Corona Virus Covid19 Novel Coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 Pneumonia Hands Hand Hygiene Hand Sanitizer Hand Sanitiser Gastroenteritis Gastro Gastric Flu Stomach Flu
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