New Strain of Norovirus - the Winter Vomiting Bug - On the Rise

The Salem Board of Health is keeping an eye out for any norovirus reports in the city.

Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. In Salem, the city's Health Agent, Larry Ramdin, said there have not yet been any confirmed norovirus cases. A new norovirus strain, GII.4 Sydney, was detected last year in Australia.  The strain hit the U.K. and sickened over a million …

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