Norovirus: You do not want it

Feb. 27, 2023

By: OSU Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences on January 26, 2023

Norovirus: You don’t want it. Norovirus (often incorrectly referred to as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”) is more likely to occur from November to April. During these months, individuals are often inside and within close proximity to one another, due to colder weather.

Norovirus Symptomatic ResponseNorovirus is a highly contagious virus most commonly transmitted person-to-person. Infections also occur through the fecal-oral route. Contamination of food with fecal material can occur anywhere along the farm-to-fork continuum, including at the source (CDC, 2021).

Key ways to prevent norovirus or its spread is proper and frequent handwashing, and not working or interacting with others while ill. If you or someone in your household has experienced vomiting or diarrhea, it is best to limit your interactions with other people.

Following approved clean-up steps provided by the CDC, for a vomiting or diarrhea event, whether at work or at home, can also help prevent the spread. Additional resources to learn more: 

Source:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, March 5). Norovirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 15, 2022, fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html.