Norovirus cases surge amid holiday travel Season: New updates for you to know about

Published on January 1, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

As the holiday travel season reaches its peak, the United States is experiencing a significant surge in norovirus cases, prompting health officials to issue warnings and advisories to the public.

Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leads to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the country, responsible for approximately 19 to 21 million illnesses annually.

Recent Statistics and Outbreaks

According to the CDC’s NoroSTAT surveillance network, there has been a notable increase in reported norovirus outbreaks. Between August 1 and December 11, 2024, 495 outbreaks were reported by participating states, compared to 363 outbreaks during the same period in the previous seasonal year. This rise places the current outbreak numbers above the range reported during the same period in the 2012–2020 and 2021–2024 seasonal years.

Notably, the week of December 5, 2024, saw a peak with 91 reported outbreaks, up from 69 the previous week. This uptick coincides with increased travel and gatherings during the holiday season, which facilitate the spread of the virus.

Transmission and Prevention

Norovirus spreads through direct contact with an infected person, consumption of contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth. The virus is highly contagious, with as few as 10 viral particles capable of causing infection. Symptoms typically develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure and last one to three days. While most individuals recover without complications, young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness.

Health officials emphasize the following preventive measures:

Hand Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizers are less effective against norovirus and should not be relied upon as a substitute for proper handwashing.

Food Safety: Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cook seafood, particularly shellfish, to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) to kill potential viruses.

Surface Disinfection: Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after vomiting or diarrhea incidents using a bleach-based household cleaner. Ensure proper disposal of vomit and stool to prevent further contamination.

Avoid Food Preparation When Ill: Individuals experiencing symptoms of norovirus should refrain from preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms have ceased to prevent transmission.

Recent Incidents and Public Health Response

Recent norovirus outbreaks have been linked to contaminated food sources. In California, an incident involving raw oysters resulted in 80 reported cases of illness. Additionally, seafood recalls have been issued in multiple states due to norovirus contamination concerns.

The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely through its surveillance networks and collaborates with state health departments to track outbreak activity. Public health officials urge individuals to adhere to preventive measures, especially during the holiday season when social gatherings and travel are prevalent. Maintaining vigilance in hygiene practices is crucial to controlling the spread of norovirus and protecting public health.