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According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC), Norovirus, also known as the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” is surging in parts of the United States. Cases reported represent a 36 percent rise in cases between Aug. 1 and Dec. 11, 2024, compared to the same period the previous year. Higher-than-normal outbreaks have been reported in several states, including and Florida.

The CDC indicated that the virus causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and is spread through traces of vomit and feces. Although hand sanitizer may be the first thing most reach for, it is not effective against the norovirus. The best defense is frequent and thorough hand washing.  The virus is considered highly contagious and spreads quickly — especially in winter with an increase of indoor, close-quarter activity.

Additionally, if you are sick, don’t prepare food for others to avoid possible contamination. Wait at least 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop before resuming such activities. This is important if you work in a restaurant, school, daycare, long-term care facility, or other places where you may expose people to norovirus.

Noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat and can survive temperatures as high as 145°F. Quick steaming processes will not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal.

Norovirus often spreads through food, which can be contaminated if touched by an infected person or placed on a contaminated surface. People are most contagious when symptomatic and for the first few days after recovery. However, you can still spread the virus for more than two weeks after feeling better.

If you suspect clothes or surfaces have been contaminated with the norovirus, here are some tips to clean things up:

How to clean contaminated clothes/surfaces

• Clean and disinfect the entire area immediately.
• Wear gloves and wipe the area with paper towels, disposing of them in a plastic trash bag.
• Disinfect with a chlorine bleach solution or an EPA-registered product against norovirus, leaving it on the area for at least 5 minutes.
• Clean the area again with soap and hot water.

• Wear gloves and wash items promptly with detergent and hot water on the sanitize cycle.
• Machine dry at the highest heat setting.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after handling soiled clothing.