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January 25, 2013
OPELIKA, Ala. -A new strain of a stomach bug is rapidly spreading across the globe. So far, there have been 141 confirmed cases of the Sydney norovirus in the U.S.
"Norovirus normally is seen in the winter months and it's usually because people are inside more,” said Brooke Bailey, infection prevention manager at East Alabama Medical Center.
This winter season confirmed cases of the Sydney norovirus have been seen in Japan, the UK, Western Europe and now the United States.
"Probably it's a type of norovirus, but it changed a little bit and so it's created a new strain,” said Bailey.
Bailey said in the past four months there have already been 141 confirmed cases in the U.S. that involve vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. With the peak season this month, health officials are concerned there could be massive outbreaks.
"When you introduce something new, a new virus, your body is not used to it and so of course you're more susceptible of acquiring it,” Bailey said.
Norovirus is the number one cause of inflammation in the stomach and small intestine. Each year, 21 million Americans contract the stomach virus and 800 die.
"The number one thing you can do is wash your hands,” Bailey said about preventing the virus... http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2013/jan/25/sydney-virus-sweeping-world-ar-5448355/
