Norovirus | Disease of the Week | CDC

Norovirus | Disease of the Week | CDC

Key Facts

• Norovirus causes about 20 million illnesses, 70,000 hospitalizations, and 800 deaths each year in the United States.
• Most people get norovirus from having close contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food.
• Norovirus is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States.
• Symptoms of norovirus illness begin suddenly and usually include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.
• Infected people are contagious when they have symptoms but also spread it a few days before and after they have symptoms.

Prevention Tips

• Wash your hands carefully and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used in addition to hand washing, but they should not be a substitute for washing with soap and water.
• When preparing food, carefully rinse fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cook shellfish, such as oysters.
• Do not prepare food or provide care for others when you are sick with norovirus and for at least 3 days after you feel better.
• Immediately clean and sanitize surfaces that have been contaminated with diarrhea or throw up. First, clean surfaces with a detergent to remove any diarrhea or throw up, then sanitize with a chlorine-based product.

More at CDC.gov

DOTW: Norovirus