Thursday, December 4, 2025 -A sharp, unseasonably early spike in Norovirus — commonly dubbed “winter vomiting disease” — is sweeping across the United States, catching health officials off guard this early in the season.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows positive tests for norovirus jumped from about 7% in August to approximately 14% by mid‑November.
Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to severe vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever, headache, or body aches — with symptoms typically appearing 12 to 48 hours after exposure and lasting 1–3 days.
The virus is extremely contagious: it spreads via contaminated food or water, surfaces, or direct contact with infected people — making crowded indoor settings, shared bathrooms, and holiday gatherings potential hot‑spots for outbreaks.
Public health experts warn that this surge — arriving earlier than usual — could worsen healthcare burdens at a time when other respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID‑19 are already circulating.
To help curb the spread, they urge diligent hygiene: frequent hand‑washing with soap and water, thorough disinfection of surfaces, cooking shellfish and produce carefully, and staying home for at least 48 hours after symptoms end.
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