With winter colds and the flu season, Americans should be looking for another ultra-contagious virus: our most common stomach insect.
The United States has experienced the greatest overture in December Norovirus since at least 2012, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During the week of December 5, state health services recorded 91 separate epidemics at the national level, according to the CDC. The next highest figure this week since 2012 was 65 epidemics.
Until November, there were 55 cases of confirmed laboratory norovirus in California, according to the State Department of Public Health. December data is not yet available.
Epidemics are generally more widespread in January and February, according to data, which fears that surtending will continue.
Most Norovirus cases are transmitted directly from one person to another, said CDC, from actions such as the touch of food or utensil consumption. Restaurants, cruising ships, health establishments and schools are current transmission sites.
In addition, contaminated food, water and surfaces can spread the virus.
Last week, the United States and Drug Administration Added has warned companies and consumers not to serve or eat oysters from the state of Washington, Canada and South Korea which can be contaminated by Norovirus.
Each year, the CDC reports some 2,500 epidemics nationwide. But real-time surveillance data cover only 14 states: Alabama, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginie and Wisconsin.
About half of the epidemics of food -related diseases are caused by norovirus, by the CDC.
The most common symptoms of norovirus are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms generally improve in one to three days, but those infected can always distribute the virus for several days after the ease of symptoms.
The best ways to prevent the virus from spreading: wash your hands, cook the crustaceans carefully, wash fruits and vegetables, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, wash the laundry in hot water and stay at home for two days after stopping symptoms.
The main treatment of norovirus is hydration to replace liquids lost by the patient. Those who have severe dehydration should consult a doctor, The CDC advises.
