Norovirus Surge Hits NJ: What To Know About The Stomach Illness

NEW JERSEY — As the winter's COVID-19 and flu surges fade, cases of a common stomach illness known as norovirus have risen throughout New Jersey and the nation. Known outbreaks for the infectious disease in New Jersey increased more than five-fold over last year, according to state health officials.

Norovirus is a "very contagious" virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain, the CDC says. Anyone can catch the illness, which may come from:

• having direct contact with someone infected.
• consuming contaminated food or water.
• touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth.

Not all outbreaks get reported. But most of the state's known outbreaks come from healthcare settings and school/day-care systems, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Health told Patch.

People can catch the virus at any time of year, but it becomes more common from December to March. Evidence suggests that norovirus has spread more around the nation this winter than in the prior two. But the spread has been more in line with recent pre-pandemic seasons.

The CDC monitors confirmed and suspected outbreaks reported by 14 different states. From Aug. 1 through Jan. 8, the federal health agency tallied 225 norovirus outbreaks after reporting only 172 during that timeframe one year prior. (New Jersey is not one of the monitored states.)

The New Jersey Department of Health knew of only seven outbreaks during the first two months of 2022. The agency has already counted 37 outbreaks this year, and it's only mid-February.

It's difficult to quantify just how much the virus has spread. Not all outbreaks get noticed, since norovirus isn't a notifiable disease, so health providers aren't required to report cases to state or local public-health officials. However, the CDC says prompt investigation and reporting are critical in responding to norovirus outbreaks.

Here's how you can protect yourself and others from norovirus, according to state health officials:

• Wash your hands often. Washing works better than hand sanitizer for preventing norovirus infections.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables.
• Cook shellfish thoroughly.
• Stay home when sick and for two days after symptoms stop.
• Avoid preparing food for others when sick and for two days after symptoms stop.

Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines, known as acute gastroenteritis. A person typically develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after exposure, and most need one to three days to get better.

People with norovirus can vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can also lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses, the CDC says.

Norovirus causes about 19 to 21 million cases of vomiting or diarrhea illness each year in the United States, along with 465,000 emergency department visits (mostly in young children) and 109,000 hospitalizations. The illness results in about 900 U.S. deaths per year, mostly among people 65 and older.

The virus is responsible for 1 million pediatric medical visits annually, according to federal health officials. The CDC says that by the age of 5:

• 1 in 110,000 will die from norovirus.
• 1 in 160 will be hospitalized.
• 1 in 40 will go to the emergency department.
• 1 in 7 will go to an outpatient clinic.

There's no specific medicine for norovirus. Unlike stomach ailments caused by bacteria, antibiotics cannot treat norovirus infections. But people with the illness should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration, which can require hospitalization.

Watch for signs of dehydration in children who have norovirus. Dehydrated children may cry with few or no tears and get unusually sleepy or fussy, the CDC says.