As many of you may already know firsthand, the 2024-2025 norovirus season is showing an alarming trend upward, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) . Many reports indicate a significant surge in cases across the Southern United States, particularly in Georgia.
December marked the highest level of norovirus outbreaks since 2012 and is the cause of over 100,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths per year. This year promises to be even worse.
Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, described the latest increase as “quite substantial,” which may seem like a bit of an understatement at this point.
This virus is highly contagious and can be passed through close contact with an infected individual, through contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces. This often leads to outbreaks in close settings like schools, offices and healthcare facilities.
Not your regular “stomach bug”
Some people are using the term “stomach bug” interchangeably with norovirus, but it’s much more involved than that, says the American Medical Association (AMA).