Norovirus blamed for much of the illness
So far this year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over 58% of the illnesses categorized at the "stomach flu" have been caused by a new strain of norovirus.
"The symptoms are diarrhea and explosive vomiting... It usually peaks in the winter, so what we see in typical years that the peak months are January and February."
Jam Vinje with the CDC says this strain is worse that previous versions.
"Strains that could give rise to an epidemic or a pandemic - we see the same with this group of viruses."
Vinje says the norovirus spreads in close quarters.
"The virus is released in small droplets and go airborne... Since this virus is more environmentally stable, it can sit there for quite a while."
A cruise ship had to return to Houston in Decemeber because over 100 passenger became ill from norovirus.
For more information on the new strain of Norovirus, click here.
