Norovirus outbreaks occuring simultaneously, worldwide

The UK, USA, Canada, and cruise ship lines have seen massive outbreaks of the Norovirus all within recent weeks.
BC, Canada - Health officials say an outbreak of the highly-contagious norovirus may be nearly over at two Metro Vancouver hospitals, but the virus has also appeared in Kamloops

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As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two Christmas Cruises in Caribbean are said to have affected by illness.

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Sioux City IA [link to DON'T_USE_THIS.com]

UK - About 100,000 people suffered from norovirus over Christmas, according to new figures which show the number who have experienced the illness so far this season has reached 1.12m.

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Possible norovirus sickens 75 people at East Lansing retirement home Detroit Free Press-Dec 25, 2012

Norovirus Causing Unusually High Number Of Infections This Year

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Pioneer Press-Dec 20, 2012
Minnesota norovirus spread prompts warning

Scientific American-Dec 20, 2012
Norovirus Survives Restaurant Dishwashing Protocols.

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New strain of norovirus hits San Luis Obispo County
Times Press Recorder-21 hours ago
Within the past month, at least three outbreaks of the new strain of norovirus have occurred in San Luis Obispo County

Norovirus 'Stomach Flu' Appears in Southwest Georgia
WTVY, Dothan-Jan 3, 2013

Norovirus's Severity to Increase in Northern Ireland
TopNews United States-21 hours ago
Northern Ireland is in the grip of norovirus

WCSD Trying to Curb Norovirus Outbreak
KTVN-Jan 3, 2013
Washoe County School District is reaching out to parents before school starts back up, hoping to prevent further spread of the norovirus

13 Norovirus Outbreaks In SB County In 2012
KEYT-Jan 2, 2013
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY -- The norovirus is easily spread, especially in close quarters, and it has even forced a local school to close its ...


Epidemic Hazard in USA on Friday, 04 January, 2013 at 04:38 (04:38 AM) UTC.

Description

Doctors say a norovirus outbreak is making dozens of people sick in the Portland area. Norovirus is often known as the "cruise ship disease," but it can spread elsewhere, too. Doctors think Portland's recent cold spell is adding to the problem because it's forcing people inside closed quarters. Norovirus is extremely contagious. It takes as few as 10 viral particles to make someone sick with norovirus and people can remain contagious for up to 10 days - even after they've stopped showing symptoms. Providence Portland Medical Center has seen 75 cases in its emergency room just since Christmas, according to Doctor Jamie Schlueter. She said it's also sickened a dozen ER nurses and four doctors in just the last week. Making matters more complicated, this appears to be a new strain of norovirus. "People that have been exposed to norovirus before might get it again, so your immune system might not completely respond," Schlueter explained. "We have a surge about every four years." Symptoms of norovirus include severe nausea, cramping, diarrhea and fever. People who have it may remain sick for one to three days. Some mistake it for the flu, but a flu shot will not prevent the norovirus. Doctors said hand-washing can help, though, along with drinking lots of water. Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States.

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