Noroviruscommonly known as stomach illness, could hit Canadians harder this time of year, with reported cases surpassing previous averages, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Preliminary data from recent weeks shows that norovirus cases are being reported across the country at higher rates than the five-year average from 2019 to 2023, PHAC said in an email to Global News on Monday.
The agency noted that although cases were reported to the National Enteric Surveillance Program (NESP), it was unable to provide specific data on the number of cases.
“This has been seen in several 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.
Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the reporting of stomach illnesses like norovirus, causing the five-year average of cases to decline during that period, the agency said. For this reason, current figures may appear unusually high compared to those from 2019 to 2023.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Outbreaks occur more frequently during the fall and winter months and typically cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, body aches, headaches and fever.
“It’s not called “winter vomiting disease” for nothing. It’s simply a horrible gastroenteritis that makes people vomit like crazy; it’s one of the most horrible things to experience,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital.
Receive weekly health news
Receive the latest medical news and health information every Sunday.
“When you get it, people really hug the porcelain for usually 12 to 24 hours, but usually after 36 to 48 hours the symptoms start to subside.”
And Canadians aren’t the only ones feeling the consequences: norovirus also appears to be increasing south of the border.
Latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 91 norovirus outbreaks were reported during the week of December 5, compared to 69 outbreaks in the last week of November.
Figures from recent years show a maximum of 65 outbreaks reported in the 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 illness that is spread primarily through contaminated food or water, or close contact with infected people, according to PHAC.
Although often referred to as the “stomach flu,” norovirus is distinct from influenza virusesthe culprits of the flu. Norovirus manifests itself more as a gastrointestinal illness.
Although there is no medication to treat it, most people recover within a few days with rest and hydration.
“It is acquired through the fecal and oral route, which basically means unintentional ingestion of the virus, either through contact with contaminated surfaces or through 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 older adults and young children – may have difficulty maintaining hydration and electrolytes and may need to be hospitalized. , he added.
Norovirus is resilient and can survive on surfaces for long periods of time, making outbreaks more difficult to control.
Because of the virus’s resilience, Bogoch noted that hand sanitizer isn’t always effective, so frequent and thorough hand washing is your best defense. If someone in your household is infected, be sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
In addition to practicing good hand hygiene and disinfecting surfaces, avoid preparing food for others while you are sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms end.
If you end up getting norovirus, Bogoch suggests soup as a good self-care option because it provides both fluids and electrolytes to help you recover.
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.