Norovirus Bug On the Rise, New Strain Arrives in United States
A new norovirus strain that was detected last year in Australia has reached the United States.
Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, a new strain of the highly contagious norovirus has reached the U.S. from Australia. Often referred to as the stomach flu, norovirus is unrelated to influenza but often occurs during flu season. Symptoms of the norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that GII.4 Sydney strain is currently the leading cause of norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. In the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Jan. 25, the norovirus is described as the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis, including foodborne outbreaks, in the U.S. Of norovirus cases reported from September to December, 54 percent have …
