How Bad Are Norovirus, Bird Flu Outbreaks? Cases Compared to Past Years

Cases of norovirus and bird flu are on the rise compared to last year, according to data from the CDC.

Why It Matters

Several states have experienced over 10 confirmed outbreaks of norovirus, a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, since September of last year, including California, Florida, New York, Virginia and Ohio.

Anyone can get infected with norovirus. Severe infections are most common among children younger than 5 years old, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Another virus on the rise in the United States is the bird flu, with confirmed human cases in 10 states. Over half of those cases were reported in California.

People with occupations where they could be exposed to infected birds or other animals are at a greater risk of being infected by the bird flu. This includes farmers, livestock workers, veterinarians, veterinary staff, zoo or wild animal facility workers and hunters.

This colorized electron microscope image shows avian influenza A virus (bird flu). Cases of bird flu are on the rise in the U.S. CDC, NIAID via AP

What To Know

From August 1 to December 11 of this year, the CDC reported 495 norovirus outbreaks among participating states. During that same period last year, there were 363 outbreaks.

Norovirus typically includes vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Other symptoms are fever, stomach pain, headache and body aches.

The CDC is also monitoring 66 reported human cases of bird flu. There were no reported cases in 2023 and one in 2022.

The agency confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in the U.S. on December 18. The patient was hospitalized in Louisiana. The CDC said the individual was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks.

Bird flu symptoms include eye redness and irritation, mild fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and fatigue.

What People Are Saying

The CDC, in a statement: "No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected. This case does not change CDC's overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public's health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low."

Physician-scientist Michael Mina, in a previous statement to Newsweek on bird flu: "We must do more, beginning with a concerted, logical and planned response at the federal level. How we dealt with COVID will not [do], and we haven't even come close to committing an iota of those resources to preventing this."

What Happens Next

The CDC lists several protective measures people can take to help reduce the risk of bird flu and norovirus exposure.

To reduce the risk of bird flu, people are encouraged to avoid direct contact with wild birds and unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals. People are also encouraged to drink pasteurized milk and avoid raw milk products.

To reduce the risk of norovirus, people are encouraged to wash their hands, handle and prepare food safely, clean and disinfect surfaces and wash their laundry well. While patients typically feel better in a few days, norovirus can still spread for two weeks or more after recuperation, according to the CDC.

Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.