The US is experiencing an early and significant surge in norovirus cases, prompting health officials to warn the public about the highly contagious virus and urge preventative measures.
On December 5, just a month into the typical outbreak season, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) reported no less than 91 cases of norovirus in just 7 days. In the intervening years, the largest norovirus eruption this early in winter included just 56 cases. A few days before Christmas, Jessica Hancock-Allen, the director of the infectious disease division at the Minnesota Department of Health , urged the public to take extra care at holiday gatherings.
'We want to make sure people are aware of this increase in norovirus outbreaks and taking steps to prevent spreading illness to family or friends,', despite the fact that it's often called the 'flu'. The pathogen causes gastrointestinal inflammation that can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and. Infections can occur at any time of year, but they are most common in winter, when people are cooped up inside. The virus Part of the reason norovirus is so challenging to contain is because it can be contagious in a person's poop hours before they start feeling sick, and can remain so for several weeks after they begin to feel better. This can lead to patients unknowingly spreading their sickness. Norovirus patients are urged to stay home and isolate for two days after their symptoms cease, drinking lots of water to ensure they replace their lost fluids. For those who have yet to get sick, hot water and soap are some of the best options to prevent infection, especially before preparing food or sitting down to eat. Most hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus, Hancock-Allen and her division warn.. These should be disinfected immediately after they come into contact with bodily fluids, such as vomit or diarrhea, officials say. Using a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm, leaving the disinfectant solution on the affected area for at least 5 minutes. The cumulative tally of norovirus cases between August and December 5 reached almost 500
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