NorovirusAccording to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the virus, commonly known as stomach bug, could be hitting Canadians harder this time of year, with reported cases rising above previous averages.
Preliminary data in recent weeks shows that norovirus cases nationwide are being reported at a higher rate than the five-year average from 2019 to 2023, PHAC said in an email to Global News on Monday.
The agency noted that while cases are reported to the National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP), it could not provide specific data on the number of cases.
“This has been noted for multiple provinces, including Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia,” a PHAC spokesperson said in the email, adding that the high numbers reported should be viewed with caution.
This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted reporting on stomach bugs like norovirus, causing the five-year average of cases to drop during that time, the agency said. This may make current numbers look unusually high compared to 2019 to 2023.
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Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Outbreaks are more common during the fall and winter months and usually cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, body aches, headache and fever.
“It is not without reason that it is nicknamed ‘winter vomiting disease’. It’s just horrible gastroenteritis and makes people vomit like crazy; it’s one of the most horrible things to experience,” says Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital.
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“If you get it, people usually hug the porcelain for 12 to 24 hours, but usually symptoms start to go away after 36 to 48 hours.”
And it’s not just Canadians feeling the impact; norovirus also appears to be on the rise south of the border.
The latest data The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 91 outbreaks of norovirus were reported the week of December 5, compared to 69 outbreaks in the last week of November.
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Figures from recent years show that a maximum of 65 outbreaks were reported in that first week of December.
Bogoch said he hasn’t noticed a significant spike in activity in the Toronto area, but has seen cases in recent weeks. He noted that norovirus typically increases during the winter months as people spend more time indoors, making it easier for the virus to spread.
Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease spread primarily through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected individuals, according to PHAC.
Although norovirus is often called the “stomach flu,” it is distinguished from influenza virusesthe culprits behind the flu. Instead, norovirus manifests as a gastrointestinal illness.
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Although there are no medications to treat it, most people recover within a few days with rest and hydration.
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“It is acquired through the fecal, oral route, which essentially means accidental ingestion of the virus, either through contact with contaminated surfaces or ingestion of contaminated food or drink,” Bogoch said.
The vast majority of people will recover at home (with some rest and fluids), but some – especially seniors and young children – may have difficulty maintaining hydration and electrolytes and may need to be hospitalized, he added to.
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Norovirus is resilient and can survive on surfaces for extended periods, making outbreaks more difficult to control.
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Due to the virus’s resilience, Bogoch noted that hand sanitizer is not always effective, so frequent and thorough hand washing is the best defense. If someone in your household is infected, be sure to disinfect high-contact surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
In addition to good hand hygiene and disinfecting surfaces, avoid preparing food for others while you are sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms have ended.
If you do contract norovirus, Bogoch recommends soup as a good self-care option because it provides both fluids and electrolytes to help you recover.
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