Norovirus alert: Stomach flu hits US, ‘new strain has more severe symptoms’ (Video)

Norovirus, a new strain of stomach flu has more severe symptoms than other stomach flu viruses including bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. As of Jan. 29, 2013, reports are coming in that the norovirus has not only hit San Diego, but also Minnesota, Colorado, and other states.

Minnesota’s KARE11 reports on Jan. 29, 2013, that “A new strain of an intestinal bug is going around making Minnesotans sick. … According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the new strain, called the Sydney strain, is now here in Minnesota.”

Colorado’s Fox31 Denver reports on Jan. 29, 2013, that the norovirus is running “rampant in Colorado” and that the “Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says cases are showing up in nursing homes, schools and day care centers.”

In California, San Diego’s 10News reported on Jan. 26, 2013, that according to San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency officials, the “The Sydney norovirus is alive and well in San Diego.”

"The last couple of years, it has been the New Orleans strain, named after New Orleans. That was here in San Diego last year. ... And the current strain, Sydney, is here in the United States and we're actually getting both strains here in San Diego."

In a Jan. 25, 2013, update “Emergence of New Norovirus Strain GII.4 Sydney — United States,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informs that the previous New Orleans strain did not show the same kind of outbreak in the United States as the new norovirus strain.

Unlike the New Orleans strain, the Sydney norovirus “has more severe symptoms, including bouts of diarrhea and vomiting,” told Dr. Eric McDonald San Diego’s 10News.

According to the CDC, the Sydney norovirus is a very contagious virus.

“Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes about 21 million illnesses and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.”

The Sydney norovirus can be easily spread from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Since the Sydney norovirus inflames the stomach, the intestines, or both (acute gastroenteritis), the symptoms can be severe and include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Other symptoms might include fever, headache, and body aches.

“If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and throw up or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. … Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.”

Anyone with the Sydney norovirus is most contagious while symptoms are present and during the next three days. The treatment of the Sydney norovirus includes drinking plenty of fluids and rest.

Since there is no vaccine available to prevent a norovirus infection, preventive care is up to each individual.

Practice proper hand hygiene: Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating, preparing, or handling food. “Noroviruses can be found in your vomit or stool even before you start feeling sick. The virus can stay in your stool for 2 weeks or more after you feel better. So, it is important to continue washing your hands often during this time.”

Use the right kind of soap: Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly: Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

Wash laundry thoroughly: Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool (feces). Soiled items should only be touched with rubber or disposable gloves. Wash the items with detergent at the maximum available cycle length then machine dry them.

Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces: After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1000–5000 ppm (5–25 tablespoons of household bleach [5.25%] per gallon of water) or other disinfectant registered as effective against norovirus by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Sydney norovirus that is currently hitting the United States does not only have more severe symptoms than other stomach flu viruses but it is also much more resistant. Noroviruses can survive temperatures as high as 140°F.

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