A stomach virus that causes violent diarrhea and vomiting continues to increase across the country, particularly in the Northeast, health officials announced.
The CDC’s latest data update shows that 16.5 percent of tests performed on hospitalized patients in the Northeast came back positive for norovirus in early March, nearly a three percent increase from the previous month.
This represents an increase from just four percent in November, when the outbreak began.
Cases are also rising in the rest of the US, with 15 percent of swabs now detecting the virus compared to nine percent in November.
Norovirus is the most common foodborne illness in the U.S., affecting about 21 million people each year.
This chart from the CDC shows how cases have increased to 16.5 percent in recent weeks.
Positive tests are increasing most rapidly in the South, increasing nearly 10 percent in just four months.
Norovirus sickens about 21 million Americans (six percent of the population) each year. Of those, approximately 109,000 are hospitalized and 900 die.
Cases typically peak around February and March, along with other ailments, because people are forced to spend more time indoors due to cold weather.
The latest data from the CDC, updated on March 7, showed that the testing positivity rate (the proportion of swabs performed in hospitals that test positive for the virus) was 16.5 percent in the week of March 2. March in the northeast.
A month earlier, the rate was 13.8 percent.
Cases are also increasing in other regions. In the South, 12.6 percent of tests were positive as of March 2, up from nine percent the previous month. At the beginning of the outbreak in November, the positivity rate was just four percent.
Last month, Fairhope West Elementary School in Alabama had to close after nearly 800 children and half of the school staff called in sick with a mysterious stomach virus.
Fairhope West Elementary School (pictured) closed for a few days last month for a deep cleaning as officials try to control the outbreak.
Phillis Spencer, who has grandchildren at the school, said the situation was “very alarming”.
State officials said they were investigating the outbreak, but believe it is most likely caused by norovirus.
A nearby school, Fairhope East Elementary, also said it is seeing an increase in norovirus cases, and the principal said she is “monitoring the situation.”
Diego Moreno, whose son goes to Fairhope West Elementary School, who goes through sixth grade (or 12 years old), told reporters that he had to take his son to the hospital.
‘Yesterday, our son vomited four or five times throughout the night.
“And today we went to the hospital and they told us that many children are sick right now.”
Philis Spencer, whose grandchildren are in school, is also told reporters: ‘(This is) very alarming, very alarming.
“I have never experienced this in all the years I have had my own children and these grandchildren, so… very alarming indeed.”
She was also filmed wearing a mask as she ran to school to pick up the youngsters.
The Midwest region reported a positivity rate of 13.4 percent as of March 2, up from 10 percent the previous month.
And in the West, 12.8 percent of tests were positive for norovirus as of March 2, up from 11 percent in early February and five percent in November.
Data from September to early February of this year shows that Minnesota and Wisconsin have been the hardest hit by norovirus, with both reporting more than five outbreaks during this period.
They are followed by California, Florida, Ohio and Virginia, which have reported four outbreaks so far.
But experts say cases are now also starting to rise in northeastern states, including New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Norovirus spreads easily through contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching the area around the mouth or nose.
Infections usually cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain and watery diarrhea, as well as fever and headache.
Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can also cause dehydration, leading to decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing.
In the vast majority of cases, symptoms disappear within two days, and little treatment is needed other than bed rest.
The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, after changing a diaper, before handling food, and before giving yourself or someone else medications.
“It’s important to continue washing your hands frequently even after you feel better,” the agency says.
“Norovirus can be found in vomit or stool (stool) even before you start to feel sick.”
“The virus can also remain in your stool for two weeks or more after you feel better, and you can still transmit norovirus during that time.”