Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Winter Vomiting Disease": The Other Big Winter Bug To Watch Out For
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 25, 2013
Modified Jan 25, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 25, 2013
Modified Jan 25, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As we've mentioned before, it isn't just a particularly bad year for the flu (though holy crap, I had it last week and you do not want) there are other viruses doing their best to keep us all from your jobs. Like the whooping cough. And a particularly vile strain of norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting disease," the "cruise ship flu" and "the one with the explosive diarrhea and vomiting."
As the CDC explained in a weekly update yesterday, a new strain of the bug, GII.4 Sydney, has been making the rounds. First identified in Australia in March 2012, the bug has been spreading quickly through the U.S. this season. "During September-December 2012, a total of 141 (53%) of the 266 norovirus outbreaks reported to CaliciNet were caused by GII.4 Sydney." In previous years the peak for norovirus outbreaks have been January, so the CDC says it is "too early to make an assessment of the relative magnitude of the current season."
So how does the norovirus spread? Easily! According to the CDC of the Sydney outbreaks they've analyzed most (51 percent) were caused by direct person-to-person transmission, 20 percent were foodborne, one percent was waterborne and the other 28 percent were transmitted by unknown methods. As for what to do if you get the bug? "Proper hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, and isolation of ill persons remain the mainstays of norovirus prevention and control."
And though it is wildly unpleasant (and can last for days) luckily the norovirus is not often fatal. Of the 21 million estimated people who get one each year only about 800 die. Just remember to stay hydrated!
Tagged
cdc
diarrhea
dont panic
flu
GII.4 Sydney
norovirus
outbreak
vomit
winter
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .