CDC Reports Uptick In Norovirus Cases

NBC News: GI Symptoms? It's Probably Not Covid, But It Could Be Norovirus
As Covid-19 cases continue to fall in the United States, cases of another virus are rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. Outbreaks of norovirus, the bug responsible for the dreaded stomach flu, have been on the rise since January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From August 2021 through the beginning of last month, the CDC reported 448 norovirus outbreaks. During the same time period the previous year, just 78 were reported. (Edwards, 4/1)

Mint: Amid Covid Pandemic, US Grapples With Norovirus
Since early January, the number of weekly outbreaks has risen from fewer than 10 to more than 50. There's no data to suggest that the Norovirus outbreaks are linked to the omicron variant of the coronavirus. But it may be possible that the lifting of Covid restrictions is helping the virus spread. (4/2)

KOAA: How To Spot The Difference Between The Stomach Flu And Covid
A local doctor says the stomach flu has been going around Colorado Springs, and he has been helping more sick children. I spoke with Dr. Vu, a medical physician at Matthews-Vu, Healthcare for Children and Adults in the Springs. He says he has noticed a rise in the number of stomach flu cases, especially among children. (Peters, 4/1)

In related news about norovirus —

AP: Californians Warned About Risk From British Columbia Oysters 
At least 34 people statewide have contracted norovirus in the past few weeks in California after eating raw oysters harvested in British Columbia, Canada, state health officials said Saturday. The state Department of Health issued a warning not to eat raw oysters imported from British Columbia where officials have closed multiple growing regions for sanitary contamination. (4/2)

CBS News: 29 Minnesotans Suffer Norovirus Symptoms After Eating Raw Oysters
Health officials say 29 Minnesotans recently suffered from norovirus after eating oysters at a restaurant, CBS Minnesota reports. They fell ill after eating the raw oysters at Travail Kitchen in Robbinsdale on March 20. The restaurant notified public health authorities and has since stopped serving the oysters, according to officials. The Stellar Bay Gold oysters had originated from Deep Bay 14-8 in British Columbia, and were harvested on March 10. (4/2)

And cases of the flu are sweeping parts of the country —

CIDRAP: Flu Activity Shifting To Northern Corners Of US
Flu levels in the Northeast and Northwest rose last week, and although activity is still highest in central and southeast regions, markers there showed signs of decline, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest weekly update. The percentage of outpatient visits for flulike illness held steady, at 1.8%, and is still below baseline. At public health labs, all respiratory samples that were positive for flu were influenza A, and, of subtyped influenza A samples, all were H3N2. (4/1)

Cincinnati Enquirer: First Pediatric Flu Death Of 2022 Recorded In Ohio
An 8-month-old boy from Ashland County is the first pediatric flu death of the season, the Ohio Department of Health reported Friday. Following an unusually slow season that saw only 108 hospitalizations statewide in 2020-2021, Ohio has reported 972 flu-associated hospitalizations so far this season. At this point during the 2019-2020 flu season for example, the state saw 10,540 hospitalizations related to the flu. Abnormally low numbers from 2020-2021 were a product of COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing efforts, experts say. (Sutherland, 4/2)

FOX 56 News: Flu Cases On The Rise In Kentucky 
As COVID-19 cases decline, flu cases are on the rise. The uptick is being seen across the country and here in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, 3500 flu cases have been reported so far this season. Lexington is currently dealing with 157 cases, up 7 cases from last week. Baptist Health Lexington Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Borders said over the last week his hospital has seen twice the number of flu cases compared to the week before and are also seeing an uptick in cases compared to last year. Still, he said the numbers are lower than pre-pandemic levels. (Payne, 4/1)

KWTX: Experts Warn Of Severe Flu Season As Central Texas School District Is Forced To Shut Down
Experts warn this year’s flu season is proving more intense than in recent years and the spike in flu cases has already shut down a Central Texas school district. The Mart Independent School District canceled classes on Thursday and Friday after it experienced an outbreak of flu cases across multiple campuses. (Crown, 4/1)