Norovirus In NYC: Cases Nearly Doubled In Last 2 Months, Data Shows

NEW YORK CITY — Norovirus is quickly spreading in New York City, with cases nearly doubling within the last month, city health officials announced.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, there have been 2,350 reported cases of norovirus from October to December.

October saw 446 reported cases, November had 640 cases and the number early doubled in December with 1,264 reported cases.

Norovirus causes 58 percent of foodborne illnesses in the United States, according to the CDC.

Annually, between 19 million and 21 million norovirus illnesses are reported to the CDC, including 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths.

Outbreaks are common in restaurants and catered events, schools and daycare centers, health care facilities, cruise ships, jails, and any other place where people are close together.

Norovirus is highly contagious and is spread through direct contact with someone who is sick, sharing food or utensils with them, touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching their face or mouth, or by consuming contaminated foods or liquids.

Symptoms usually come on within 12 or 48 hours of becoming infected. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, but also may include fever, headache and body aches.

There’s no antiviral medication for norovirus. The most important thing is to make sure people who have it get plenty of liquids. People who have norovirus may vomit or have diarrhea several times a day and are at risk of dehydration — especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Feeling dizzy when standing up
• Crying with few or no tears
• Unusual sleepiness or fussiness

The best way to prevent norovirus is to wash hands in hot, soapy water for 20 seconds after using the toilet, changing diapers and before eating, preparing or handling food. Hand sanitizer isn’t particularly effective at controlling the spread of the virus.

Also, thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, and to cook shellfish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent norovirus contamination.