New Norovirus Spreads Globally
Sometimes it's called "food poisoning" or "stomach flu" or just simply the "runs." It's caused by a group of viruses (noroviruses) that affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause inflammation. This gastroenteritis is not pleasant to experience, but usually lasts only a day or two. There is a new strain causing 60% of U.S. outbreaks--GII.4 Sydney.…
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Noroviruses cause more diarrhea in the U.S. than any other pathogen--probably half of all gastroenteritis worldwide. A tiny dose causes infection, then huge quanties of virons are shed in vomit and feces. This virus can survive for weeks on things like grocery bags. Swabs obtained from a bag 2 weeks after an outbreak traced to…
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