Norovirus cases are likely on the rise in Los Angeles, wastewater data shared by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shows.
Wastewater sampling, which collects water from sewers or treatment systems to test it for pathogens or contaminants, shows that during the 21-day period ending Dec. 11, detection of norovirus in wastewater increased 154% in Los Angeles and more than 250% in Los Angeles County, according to ABC News’ Los Angeles station. KABC
“Based on past trends, Public Health expects norovirus activity to increase between November and April, when outbreaks are more common during the colder months,” the health department said in a statement, according to KABC.
The trend in Los Angeles mirrors that observed nationally. In mid-November, nearly 13% of tests came back positive for norovirus compared to about 7% about three months earlier, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION).
More recently, national norovirus cases appear to be declining, with 9.37% of tests coming back positive in the week ending Dec. 6, CDC data shows.
An electron micrograph of norovirus.
BSIP/UIG via Getty Images
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus That is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Although often referred to as the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” norovirus illness is not related to influenza.
Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., causing 58% of foodborne illnesses each year and responsible for about 25,000 outbreaks annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
hills common symptoms They are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and non-bloody diarrhea. However, patients may also experience fever, headaches, and body aches.
Typically, an infected person will develop symptoms between 12 and 48 hours after being infected. However, norovirus usually resolves quickly, lasting one to three days in most healthy adults, according to the CDC.
Health experts say the best way to prevent norovirus is to wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus.
He CDC says People should wash their hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers, as well as when eating, preparing, or handling food.
The Los Angeles health department recommends carefully washing fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cooking seafood because freezing does not kill the virus, according to KABC.
If someone is infected with norovirus, the health department says the person should not prepare food for others for three days after recovering from the illness.
