Community Corner

Norovirus Hits United States After Sweeping Through Japan and Europe

The highly contagious gastrointestinal illness can cause serious vomiting and diarrhea.

This winter's strain of norovirus already has raged across Japan and Europe. It is believed to be the cause of at least 60 percent of the 'stomach bug' cases reported in the United States so far in 2013.

According to an ABC News report, this year's strain -- also called the Sydney strain -- has resulted in 140 outbreaks in the United States since September.

University of Cambridge researcher Ian Goodfellow told ABC News, "It can sweep through an environment very, very quickly. You can be feeling quite fine one minute and within several hours suffer continuous vomiting and diarrhea."

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Norovirus can afflict its victims with serious vomiting and diarrhea for several days. Like influenza, and as its name suggests, norovirus is a virus. Unlike influenza, however, there's no vaccine to help stave it off. Keeping hydrated and suffering through it are the only real options available.

Watch the video to learn more.

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