Norovirus, a fast-spreading stomach virus is sweeping through the northeast regions of the United States. According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parts of South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania are seeing outbreaks of norovirus, the gastrointestinal bug which causes uncomfortable symptoms with high-risk concerns.
However, this is not the first time the US has been facing Norovirus outbreaks. The “stomach bug” is estimated to infect some 20 million Americans every year, causing nearly half a million emergency room visits annually, many of them are young children. The virus also referred to as the winter vomiting bug, started surfacing in December 2023. The CDC reports that the three-week average positivity rate in February 2024 for the virus in the region reached 13.9 per cent. This was much higher than a 10 per cent positivity rate seen since the middle of December 2023 in the same region.
While the northeast region is experiencing a high number of positive norovirus cases, CDC data shows that other regions too are seeing positive tests in recent weeks. The southern region in the US has a 9.5 per cent positivity rate of infection, and it is 10 per cent in the Midwest, following nearly 12 per cent in the West.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a group of viruses (Caliciviridae family of viruses) that forms the norovirus infection and develops inflammation in the stomach and intestine. Most often, norovirus is mistaken as the stomach flu, which is in fact a different infection caused by influenza, though both viruses show similar symptoms.
Some of the symptoms caused by Norovirus as cited by the CDC are as follows –
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Bodyache
It causes severe dehydration and fatigue in infected persons.
How does it spread?
The highly contagious virus can spread through contaminated surfaces, food or drinks infected with Norovirus. The airborne transmission of viral particles has been reported.
It also spreads from one infected person to another. It can spread in a community when people contract norovirus if they come in direct contact with an infected person, as the virus can spread through saliva, stool and vomit. The caretaker of an infected person is highly vulnerable to catching the infection. Maintaining hand hygiene is crucial for an infected person and caretaker. Doctors suggest that one must avoid hand-to-mouth contact.
The illness can also spread if you share utilities like cups and utensils. The Norovirus infection is developed in a person within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and can last up to 3 days in your system. The elderly and children are most vulnerable to severe infection.
Should Norovirus be a concern in India?
While the Indian government has not particularly given an advisory or has started any testing procedures for Norovirus, Dr Kapil Gupta, president and core committee member of the Association of Emergency Physicians of India (AEPI), advises that we must stay vigilant considering that people are returning from the US to the country regularly.
“We can continue following the safety and hand hygiene rules that we were following during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes wearing a mask in public spaces and washing hands thoroughly after coming in contact with someone showing symptoms of norovirus,” he says.
As there is a lack of testing facilities for norovirus in India currently, there is no clarity on whether there are people infected by Norovirus already, says Dr Gupta.
Treatment for Norovirus however is supportive care. There is no specific anti-viral medication against Norovirus and the treatment is symptomatic, according to experts.
“The focus currently is on preventing the Norovirus infection in India, and there are no reported cases as of now. In case a person is found to be suffering from Norovirus through tests, then we have a standard protocol for treatment,” says Dr Gupta.
Dr Gupta says general hygiene and prevention are always better than treatment. “With new viruses being discovered, they’re affecting the people. We can take care of our health through regular exercise and a balanced diet to keep up our immune system,” he adds.
Takeaways
Norovirus is fast spreading in the US, making several families sick. The stomach infection has hit hard the northeastern region of America. The infection surfaces with typical gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, body fever, and low-grade fever.
