CDC: New Norovirus Strain Picking up Pace
National health officials express concern, Howard County health officials say they have not seen an increase in infections.
Although Maryland is still experiencing high levels of flu infections, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the spread seems to have hit a decline, or at least a plateau. Another nasty winter virus, however, has been making its way through the country. Sometimes referred to as “stomach flu” or mistaken for food poisoning, norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that is not related to influenza, the virus responsible for the flu, according to the CDC. Norovirus is also often associated with outbreaks on cruise ships. This year, a new strain of the virus, first seen in Australia, has been making its way through the United States. Currently this new strain – GII.4 Sydney – is the leading cause of norovirus …
