Tina Tan, MD discusses the increased outbreaks of norovirus this year

Norovirus, one of the most contagious viruses, spreads easily through contaminated food, surfaces, and person-to-person contact. Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS—editor in chief of Contemporary Pediatrics, professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases attending at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America—emphasizes the importance of preventive measures to reduce its transmission, particularly in environments like schools, daycare centers, and nursing homes, where it spreads rapidly.

“Norovirus is a very transmissible virus, and most people pick it up because they come into contact with an infected individual, or they ingest food that is contaminated,” said Tan. Common culprits include fruits, vegetables like lettuce, and seafood such as oysters. Improper handling or inadequate washing of these foods increases the risk of outbreaks.

Outbreaks are common and widespread. From August to December 2024 alone, the CDC’s Norovirus Sentinel Testing and Tracking (NoroSTAT) program reported 495 norovirus outbreaks, exceeding the range observed in most previous years. The most affected populations include young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems, who are at higher risk for severe symptoms such as dehydration.

Parents often misattribute norovirus symptoms to other illnesses like the flu. “When you think about the symptoms of the norovirus, it’s usually fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Some older individuals can also get body aches,” said Tan. She emphasized that many parents are unaware of the virus’s extreme transmissibility and the need for strict hygiene measures.

One crucial preventive step is proper handwashing, as hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus.

“We know with this particular virus that the hand sanitizers do not work against it. You actually have to do soap and water to basically get rid of this particular virus,” Tan explained. Cleaning contaminated surfaces and washing laundry in hot water are additional measures that families should adopt.

Despite these recommendations, some individuals neglect basic food safety, a lapse exacerbated by potential misinformation on social media promoting risky practices like consuming raw milk.

“People are a little bit less likely to wash their fruits and vegetables very carefully,” noted Tan, underscoring the need for pediatricians to educate families about foodborne risks and proper hygiene practices.

By following simple but essential steps—washing hands with soap and water, cleaning surfaces thoroughly, and ensuring food is prepared safely—families can significantly reduce their risk of norovirus infection.

Reference:

Fitch, J. CDC: 2024-2025 seasonal norovirus outbreaks up from previous years. Contemporary Pediatrics. January 9, 2025. Accessed January 24, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/cdc-2025-seasonal-norovirus-outbreaks-up-previous-years