A surge in norovirus cases has been reported in New York City, with nearly 1,300 cases recorded in December alone. The highly contagious virus can spread quickly through contact with contaminated surfaces, food, and water.
Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, body aches, headache, and fever. Dehydration is the biggest complication, particularly for children under 2 or over 75.
To avoid getting infected, doctors recommend washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, eating, and touching shared surfaces in bathrooms. They also advise against contaminated foods like undercooked seafood or raw shellfish, and suggest carefully washing fruits and vegetables.
Furthermore, doctors emphasize the importance of using bleach solutions to disinfect surfaces, as alcohol-based disinfectants are not effective against norovirus. It is crucial to wait at least two days before returning to work after symptoms have stopped, as the virus can still be shared through contact for weeks afterward.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/norovirus-cases-new-york-city