Norovirus, sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “winter vomiting bug,” is spreading in California and other parts of the United States. Even though it’s often called the stomach flu, it is not related to the flu virus.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and sometimes fever.
It affects people of all ages and spreads very quickly, especially during the colder months from November to April.
According to the CDC, from August to mid-November, there were over 150 outbreaks reported in 14 states. California was not one of them, but test results show that cases are rising in the western U.S.
In California, 32 lab-confirmed cases have already been reported this year, and health officials are watching wastewater to understand how much of the virus is in the community.
Each year, norovirus causes up to 21 million illnesses in the U.S. It is the top cause of vomiting and diarrhea and is responsible for over half of all food-related sicknesses. It also leads to thousands of hospital visits, especially among children and older adults.
Norovirus spreads very easily. You can get it by touching someone who is sick, cleaning up vomit or diarrhea without gloves, sharing food or utensils, or touching surfaces like doorknobs or phones that have the virus on them.
The virus comes from vomit or stool and can travel through the air or land on surfaces, where it can survive for weeks if not cleaned properly. People can still spread the virus up to two days after they feel better.
Places where people are close together—like schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes, cruise ships, and jails—are more likely to have outbreaks.
There is no cure or specific treatment for norovirus. That’s why cleaning and disinfecting are so important. If someone in your home is sick, you should clean up carefully. Use soap and water first to clean surfaces, then use a disinfectant that kills norovirus.
Always check the label to make sure it works on norovirus or check the EPA’s List G of approved products. You can also make your own solution using bleach: mix 5 to 25 tablespoons of bleach with a gallon of water. Use it on hard surfaces and let it sit for five minutes before wiping.
Be sure to disinfect commonly touched surfaces like door handles, light switches, and remote controls. Be careful: many cleaning wipes don’t kill norovirus.
If you are cleaning up after someone who vomited or had diarrhea, wear gloves and a face mask. Wipe up everything with paper towels and put them in a sealed plastic bag.
After disinfecting, clean the area again with soap and water. The virus can spread through the air when someone vomits, so even areas that look clean might be contaminated. Always throw away gloves and masks after cleaning.
For laundry, wear gloves and a mask. Remove and wash any clothing or sheets with vomit or poop on them. Try not to shake them. Wash with detergent in hot water on the longest cycle, and dry on high heat. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling laundry.
Norovirus can infect anyone, and people can get it more than once. That’s why taking care to clean, disinfect, and protect yourself is so important.
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