As New York City grapples with a significant uptick in norovirus cases, the rest of the nation isn't exactly riding a wave of good health either. According to CBS News, NYC reported nearly 1,300 cases of the highly contagious virus last December, nearly triple the amount from the year prior. And it's not just a Big Apple problem; a report from TODAY.com cites CDC data revealing that, in early December, norovirus cases hit their highest level for this period since 2012.
While New Yorkers, already enjoyed a tough winter, have been hit hard, norovirus knows no boundaries. The CDC's week-by-week tracking showed 91 confirmed or suspected outbreaks nationwide in just one week of December — more than double the average for the past three years. The rising number of infections presents a public health challenge marked by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, fundamentally disrupting lives.
"The symptoms are not specific, however can be quite severe. People feel quite unwell," Dr. Roy Gulick from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center told CBS News. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, echoed these concerns in an interview with TODAY.com, further illustrating how quickly and explosively the symptoms can manifest.
Containing this contagion seems like an Olympic sport, as the virus boasts impressive resilience on surfaces and a number of common disinfectants fall short against it. Echoing other experts' advice, Dr. Gulick pointed out, "Common disinfectants such as hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes do not kill this virus and that's one of the reasons that norovirus is such a problem," in his conversation with CBS News. So, the best defense against this viral adversary includes rigorous hand-washing with soap and water, careful food preparation, and, in the worst-case scenario, employing bleach solutions for decontamination.
In order to fend off the vile norovirus, health experts stress that unfortunately there is no vaccine available. The CDC is meticulously tracking outbreaks and testing for strains, that seem to mutate quicker than a New York minute, in an effort to stay on top of patterns and potential increases in cases. Above all, staying vigilant with hygiene and considering others by remaining at home until fully recovered — which is typically one to three days after symptoms disappear — are key strategies. As Dr. Eric Ascher of Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital stated to CBS News, "You can still share the virus from a couple of days, up to weeks after you recover."
