If you’ve been sick to your stomach lately, it may not be anxiety about the passing of another holiday season but an actual illness as the Norovirus is spreading nationwide, according to the CDC.
The latest CDC data shows that there were 91 outbreaks reported by state health departments during the week of Dec. 5, up from 69 that were reported during the last week of November.
Over the last several years, the highest number for the same period was 65 outbreaks, showing that cases are on the rise.
On top of this, the cases may be even more prominent, as state, local, and territorial health departments are not required to report individual cases of Norovirus to the CDC. Only 15 states are a part of the National Outbreak Reporting System at this time.
The CDC also said that some people who fall ill won’t go to a healthcare facility for care, and even if they do, doctor’s offices don’t generally test for the norovirus.
The disease can result in diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain within 12 to 47 hours after being exposed, the CDC noted, adding that it is extremely contagious.
Most who catch the illness get better within one to three days, but they can still spread the virus for days after recovering.
Every year there are about 2,500 reported outbreaks of Norovirus, as it’s the leading cause of foodborne illness in the US. Cases tend to pop up the most from November to April, the CDC says.
Infection spreads through tiny particles of feces or vomit that someone gets in their mouth from an infected person. It also spreads through contaminated surfaces, food, and water, the CDC says.
To prevent infection, people should wash their hands well with soap and water, as hand sanitizer alone does not work well against the virus.