Norovirus Is Spreading In CA, And It May Be Lurking In Your Home

Norovirus, the highly contagious stomach bug, is spreading in California with a series of January outbreaks, and it may be lurking in your laundry basket, health officials warn.

Health officials confirm spiking norovirus activity in California contributing to a rise in seasonal stomach bugs. In late January, the virus spiked dramatically in the Bay Area and and the Los Angeles area, analysis of wastewater at 57 surveillance sites shows.

Virus detection is currently high in wastewater samples in Novato, San Rafael, Fremont, San Francisco, and Davis. It's also increasingly spreading in surrounding Bay Area communities, Los Angeles and Riverside County, according to the state's wastewater monitoring system. Monitoring sites in Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose also show norovirus activity.

It's not unusual as an increase in stomach illnesses are common after holiday gatherings. Norovirus outbreaks spiked to across much of the country in December and January.

Norovirus, also known as "winter vomiting disease," is very contagious. The stomach bug, which sickens millions of people every year, spreads easily and quickly through the fecal-oral route. Although tainted food is often blamed, doctors say dirty laundry could also be a source of transmission.

"If you are actively sick with diarrhea or some kind of a GI-related condition, go ahead and separate those clothes from other healthy people in the household," Dr. Ali Jamehdor with Dignity Health St. Mary's Hospital in Long Beach told ABC7 News.

Jamehdor recommended a short washing cycle with bleach after an especially dirty load. Families with children should do kids' laundry separately as underwear contains the most germs, followed by children's clothing. Clothes also must be completely dried. Finally, laundry baskets should also be sanitized.

"Things are happening in the hamper," Jamehdor told ABC7 News. "They love growing. The bacteria and viruses love growing and multiplying."

There are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks a year, according to the CDC. Some health experts worry that the variant GII.17, which was responsible for last year's spike, may have mutated and become more contagious.

Symptoms of the GII.17 strain include forceful vomiting, intense diarrhea and stomach cramps that are especially hard on children under 5, adults over 85, and those with underlying health conditions, according to the CDC. Dehydration is a primary risk.

Because GII.17 is a new strain, people have less built-up immunity and may experience more severe illnesses.

"When new strains emerge, people are exposed to a strain that they have not previously been exposed to, and hence are more likely to get infected," Lee-Ann Jaykus, a professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University, told Newsweek.

"Historically, new strains emerge every seven to 10 years, and we were due for one, so this is not surprising," Jaykus said.

In addition to following laundry tips, health officials advise people wash hands well with soap and water. Hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus. Also do not prepare, handle food, or care for others when you are sick.