Bakersfield health experts urge vigilance as cases of norovirus surge

Mikhala Armstrong
·2 min read

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Seasonal sickness during this time of year is not uncommon, but the rising number of cases of the world’s nastiest “stomach bug” have health experts sounding the alarm.

The highly contagious norovirus is making its rounds and spreading at the some of its highest rates since April of last year.

Earlier this month, more than 150 people reported being sick in an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness while on a cruise set to sail from San Francisco — each reporting their main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting. While the cause of the illness is unknown, the CDC said there is now a 12% increase in norovirus cases in the western region, the highest number since June.

“It’s really just the sneaky way this virus works,” said Medical Director of Adventist Health Dr. William Franklin. “It waits until you’re all on the same ship and somebody has it, and then the next thing you know, everybody has it.”

Franklin said norovirus spreads through contaminated food, water and surfaces, in addition to spreading through sick people.

Norovirus slams Northeast US hardest in recent weeks: CDC

According to Kimberly Hernandez of Kern County Public Health, the most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Norovirus can last one to three days, but is extremely spreadable.

Hernandez said the number of cases are not reportable, but the county is seeing multiple patients come in with the symptoms.

“We have more people presenting emergency departments with vomiting and or diarrhea, but it’s not abnormal,” said Hernandez.

However, Franklin said Adventist Health is seeing an increase of symptoms in patients and urges the community to be vigilant.

“Start washing your hands, rinse your foods, just be careful about what you put in your body and think, ‘This could have norovirus on it, I’m going to rinse it first, I’m going to cook it first,'” said Franklin.

For more tips on how to stay vigilant, click here.

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