Data from American disease control centers has revealed an increase in the rates of "Norovirus" infections, classified as the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis, according to CNN. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that "in the week ending February 17, over 12% of Norovirus tests were positive." The data indicated that "cases are rising particularly in the Northeastern part of the country, where over 13% of tests were positive."
Furthermore, the data show that "these levels are lower than they were at the same time last season, where about 15% of tests were positive nationwide." The outbreak of "Norovirus" is most common in late fall, winter, and early spring, causing between 19 million to 21 million infections annually "in crowded environments, such as nursing homes, care centers, and cruise ships," according to the CDC.
The CDC points out that "Norovirus infection can spread when a person touches someone infected directly, consumes food or liquid contaminated with the virus, or touches contaminated surfaces and then puts their fingers in their mouth." It warns that "an infected person can spread Norovirus for two weeks or more after symptoms have disappeared." The CDC also notes that "the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain."
