What is the stomach bug going around right now? Norovirus 2025
The AMA Update covers a range of health care topics affecting the lives of physicians and patients. Learn more about norovirus, including signs, symptoms and treatment.
www.ama-assn.orgHere are the latest widely reported updates on norovirus from credible outlets and public health sources:
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Surge in cases and high activity: Various outlets have noted that norovirus activity is up in parts of the U.S. and Europe, with wastewater surveillance showing elevated levels and outbreaks occurring in schools and on ships. This trend is often described as driven by highly contagious variants and is being monitored closely by public health agencies.[1][4]
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Geographic hot spots and recent outbreaks: Midwest and Northeast regions in the U.S. have shown higher activity in recent weeks, with some schools temporarily closing due to suspected outbreaks, and cruise ships reporting increased cases.[1]
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Public health surveillance: CDC and other agencies continue to track outbreaks, with some reports indicating rising positivity in labs and ongoing seasonal activity, though total outbreak counts may vary year to year. UK and other national health agencies also publish weekly surveillance bulletins during the winter season.[4][1]
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Vaccine and treatment status: There is no approved vaccine for norovirus as of now, though vaccine candidates have entered late-stage (phase 3) trials in some settings. Management focuses on hydration and supportive care.[6][1]
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What to do to reduce risk: Good hygiene is critical (handwashing with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus in some contexts). Stay home when ill, especially if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, to avoid spreading the virus.[1]
Illustration: If helpful, I can summarize trends with a simple chart (e.g., weekly outbreak counts or wastewater signal) and provide a visual to accompany these notes. Would you like me to create a quick chart based on a recent week-by-week snapshot?
Citations:
- Surge driven by infectious variant and rising wastewater signals; school outbreaks and cruise ship activity noted.[1]
- Historical and ongoing surveillance context from NBC News and CBS News coverage of outbreaks and tracking by CDC/Gov UK health authorities.[2][4]
- No current vaccine; Moderna candidate in late-stage trials; emphasis on hydration and supportive care.[6][1]
- UK weekly winter surveillance bulletin context for respiratory and enteric viruses, including norovirus activity.[4]