The winter is often synonymous with cold and flu season. Unfortunately, those germs aren’t the only ones spreading widely around this time of year. So gird your stomachs and stay on the lookout for the dreaded norovirus, because it might soon be running rampant.
According to the latest surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of norovirus are likely surging in the U.S. Just last week, about 14% of lab tests came back positive for norovirus, double the rate three months earlier, while several states are now experiencing relatively high case numbers. These early indicators suggest that the U.S. will experience a harsh norovirus winter for the second year in a row.
Stomach flu on the rise
Though norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, it’s a ubiquitous and highly contagious foodborne germ. And it’s been on the rise as of late.
Between August 2024 and July 2025, for instance, the CDC documented at least 2,675 outbreaks in the U.S., almost double the amount reported in the same period the previous year (1,478). More recently, the pace of outbreaks in the fall seemed to settle back down. But norovirus is especially prevalent during the winter, as more people spend time indoors, and the early data isn’t looking good for a reprieve.
The 14% test positivity rate this mid-November is right around the same rate observed during the same time period last year. In December 2024, the country experienced a record-breaking surge of norovirus, with a peak testing rate of nearly 25%. According to Epic Research’s data tracker, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Oklahoma are currently experiencing the highest number of reported norovirus cases.
What to do about noro
Of course, it’s no guarantee that norovirus this winter will reach or surpass the peak seen last year. But even a relatively mild season will lead to plenty of gastrointestinal misery. Annually, norovirus causes about 20 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S. And though it’s rarely fatal, the illness still sends roughly 100,000 Americans to the hospital every year.
Given all that, it’s always prudent to do what you can to reduce your risk of catching and spreading the stomach flu to others.
You should always wash fruits and vegetables and cook your shellfish thoroughly, for instance. You should also clean your kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces, especially after preparing shellfish. And you should thoroughly wash your hands after handling uncooked food, since norovirus or other foodborne germs could be transmitted by your hands inadvertently touching your mouth later.
And if you’re feeling queasy, you should avoid direct contact with people if possible and consistently wash your hands with soap and water (hand sanitizer will not work against norovirus).
All that might be easier said than done with Thanksgiving and the holidays coming right up. But as anyone who’s had norovirus can attest, it’s an experience that you should try to avoid as much as possible. Speaking personally, I’m crossing my fingers that scientists finally figure out how to make an effective norovirus vaccine sooner rather than later.
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