What's New
Cases of norovirus, an infectious stomach bug, have surged in the U.S. this December, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The week of December 5 saw 91 reported outbreaks, a rise from 69 outbreaks reported the previous week.
The CDC publishes data about the disease going back to 2012. It shows that this month's outbreak has exceeded the previous December maximum of 65 outbreaks. The agency has not released figures about the number of indivual cases.
Newsweek has contacted the CDC via online form for comment.
Why It Matters
Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for 58 percent of such cases annually, according to the CDC. There are about 2,500 reported outbreaks every year in the country.
Its high transmissibility makes it a persistent public-health challenge, particularly as people prepare to gather for New Year's Eve.
What To Know
CDC data indicates that December's increase in outbreaks has outpaced records for the same period since at least 2012.
A graph by Newsweek using CDC data shows how the outbreak is outstripping previous records for December. The agency has not released precise details on which states are most impacted, but the data shows a surge in national cases.
How It Spreads
The virus spreads easily through contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or shared food and utensils.
Norovirus outbreaks are most common between November and April, often occurring in high-density settings like nursing homes, schools, cruise ships, and correctional facilities.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, and while most people recover within one to three days, severe dehydration is a primary risk, particularly for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
How to Avoid Infection
Rigorous and frequent hand washing is the best defense against norovirus during the peak winter season, scrubbing the hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before meals.
Scrubbing surfaces with household disinfectants can also help.
What People Are Saying
Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, told Fortune earlier this month that norovirus' nicknames include "winter vomiting disease" and "the cruise ship virus," as it easily spreads among those in close quarters.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, also told Fortune earlier this month, "It doesn't take a lot to get people pretty sick. That's the main reason it's so infectious."
What Happens Next
The CDC continues to monitor outbreaks across the U.S. Health experts advise individuals to be up to date on annual flu shots and for those already experiencing symptoms of norovirus to stay hydrated.
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