New Strain of Norovirus, Winter Vomiting Bug, On the Rise but No Cases Yet Reported in Burlington
A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.
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. So far, there have not been any reports of the norovirus in Burlington, according to Andria Nemoda, Supervising Nurse for the Burlington Board of Health. Nemoda said the department is monitoring the situation and will respond if cases …
