Norovirus cases are rising in the United States just as families are planning holiday dinners, office parties, and winter travel. According to recent CDC surveillance data, nearly 14% of tests for the virus have been coming back positive in some regions—an early signal that “stomach bug” season is ramping up at a time when many of us will be sharing food, tables, and homes.


If you’ve ever had norovirus, you probably remember it vividly: sudden vomiting, intense nausea, diarrhea, and feeling completely wiped out. The good news is that most healthy people recover within a few days. The challenge is that norovirus spreads incredibly easily—especially around food and close contact—which makes outbreaks common during the holidays.


In this guide, we’ll walk through what the latest rise in norovirus means, how the virus actually spreads, and what you can realistically do to reduce your risk at home, at parties, and while traveling—without living in fear or skipping every celebration.


A person washing their hands under running water in a kitchen sink, emphasizing hygiene to prevent norovirus
Frequent handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to prevent norovirus infection.

Why norovirus matters this holiday season

Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis—sudden vomiting and diarrhea—and foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for tens of millions of cases every year. Even though most people recover at home, outbreaks can overwhelm schools, cruise ships, restaurants, and nursing homes, and they can be dangerous for young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.



What the latest CDC data shows about rising norovirus cases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks norovirus activity through its Norovirus Sentinel Testing and reporting systems. Recent CDC data heading into the holiday season show:


  • Rising test positivity: Nearly 14% of lab tests for norovirus in certain regions have been positive in recent weeks—higher than earlier in the fall and consistent with seasonal increases.
  • Typical seasonal pattern: Norovirus usually peaks between November and April. An uptick ahead of major holidays is expected, but it still calls for extra caution.
  • Outbreak reports: States are reporting clusters linked to schools, long‑term care facilities, restaurants, catered events, and cruise ships—settings where close contact and shared food are common.

“Norovirus is remarkably contagious. A very small amount of virus—sometimes just a few particles—can make you sick. With more indoor gatherings and shared meals during the winter holidays, we expect to see more cases unless people take basic precautions.”
— Paraphrased from CDC norovirus guidance

In other words, this rise doesn’t mean panic—it means prepare. Understanding how norovirus spreads is the first step in protecting your household.


How norovirus spreads so easily (and why outbreaks explode)

Norovirus spreads primarily through the “fecal–oral route,” which sounds technical but basically means tiny particles from an infected person’s stool or vomit get into someone else’s mouth—often via contaminated hands, surfaces, or food.


The most common ways people catch norovirus include:


  1. Person‑to‑person contact – caring for someone who is sick, changing diapers, or sharing utensils and cups.
  2. Contaminated food – especially foods handled after cooking (like salads, sandwiches, fruit platters) by someone who is infected.
  3. Contaminated surfaces – doorknobs, faucet handles, counters, or bathroom fixtures that have virus particles on them.
  4. Aerosolized particles during vomiting – tiny droplets can land on nearby surfaces or food.

What makes norovirus particularly tricky is that:


  • It only takes a tiny dose to get sick—as few as 18 viral particles.
  • People are contagious before and after symptoms, so someone can unknowingly spread it.
  • It survives on surfaces and resists many common disinfectants.


Norovirus symptoms: what to watch for

Norovirus symptoms usually begin 12–48 hours after exposure and often come on suddenly. Typical signs include:


  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (often sudden and forceful)
  • Watery, non-bloody diarrhea
  • Stomach cramps or pain
  • Low‑grade fever, chills, headache, or body aches
  • Feeling very tired and weak

Most people feel very sick for 1–3 days but then recover fully. The main medical concern is dehydration—especially in infants, older adults, and those with underlying conditions.


A woman sitting on a couch wrapped in a blanket holding her stomach, appearing ill
Sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are hallmark symptoms of norovirus infection.

Why holidays and winter travel boost norovirus risk

Holidays create the perfect storm for norovirus transmission:


  • Crowded indoor gatherings mean more close contact, shared bathrooms, and high‑touch surfaces.
  • Buffets and potlucks involve shared serving utensils and food handled by many people.
  • Travel—airplanes, buses, cruise ships, rest stops—puts you in contact with many strangers and surfaces.
  • “Pushing through” when sick is common—people don’t want to miss long‑planned trips or disappoint family, so they attend events while contagious.

None of this means you must cancel celebrations. It does mean that a bit of planning—around food safety, hand hygiene, and staying home when sick—pays off significantly.

Friends and family gathered around a festive dinner table sharing food
Holiday gatherings are joyful—but they also increase opportunities for norovirus to spread through shared food and surfaces.

Evidence-based ways to prevent norovirus during the holidays

There is currently no approved vaccine for norovirus for the general public, and antibiotics don’t work on viruses. Prevention relies on behavior and hygiene. The following steps are supported by CDC and other public health agencies:


1. Wash hands with soap and water—often and thoroughly

Handwashing is one of the most powerful tools you have. Aim for:


  • At least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
  • Scrub all surfaces: backs of hands, between fingers, under nails.
  • Always wash before eating, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and after handling raw foods or cleaning vomit/diarrhea.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be a backup when soap and water aren’t available, but they should not replace proper handwashing when trying to prevent norovirus.


2. Practice safe food handling and preparation

Because norovirus is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., special attention to how food is handled is crucial:


  • Don’t cook or serve food if you’re sick with vomiting or diarrhea, and wait at least 48 hours after symptoms stop before preparing food for others.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before serving.
  • Cook shellfish thoroughly—norovirus can survive undercooking.
  • Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot to limit overall foodborne risk.

3. Clean and disinfect high‑touch surfaces

Norovirus can survive on surfaces for days. Regular cleaning is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms:


  • Wear disposable gloves if possible when cleaning after someone is sick.
  • Use a bleach‑based disinfectant or other product registered as effective against norovirus (per EPA label instructions).
  • Pay attention to toilet seats, flush handles, faucets, door handles, counters, and light switches.

4. Stay home when sick—even if it’s inconvenient

This is one of the toughest steps emotionally, but one of the most protective. If you develop vomiting or diarrhea:


  • Avoid gatherings, work, school, and food preparation.
  • Wait at least 48 hours after your last episode of vomiting or diarrhea before returning to normal activities involving others.
  • Be honest with hosts and employers—frank communication prevents larger outbreaks.

Person thoroughly cleaning a kitchen counter with disinfectant and gloves
Regular cleaning of high‑touch surfaces can significantly reduce norovirus transmission at home and during gatherings.

What to do if someone gets sick: step-by-step cleanup guide

If vomiting or diarrhea happens in your home or at a gathering, quick and careful cleanup can prevent a single case from becoming an outbreak. Here’s a practical, evidence‑aligned approach:


  1. Protect yourself first
    • Wear disposable gloves if available.
    • If possible, wear a mask to reduce inhalation of aerosolized particles during active vomiting cleanup.
  2. Contain the mess
    • Use paper towels to gently cover and contain solid material.
    • Avoid splashing while cleaning to prevent further spread.
  3. Disinfect properly
    • Use a bleach solution or an EPA‑registered disinfectant effective against norovirus.
    • Clean and disinfect all nearby surfaces, not just visibly soiled areas.
  4. Handle linens and clothing carefully
    • Remove soiled linens and clothing carefully and place directly into a plastic bag or washer.
    • Wash with detergent on the hottest safe setting and machine dry thoroughly.
  5. Finish with a thorough handwash
    • Remove gloves and dispose of them safely.
    • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.


A real-world example: one family’s “almost outbreak”

A family I worked with (details changed for privacy) hosted a small holiday dinner for eight people. The night before, their 8‑year‑old had an episode of vomiting but seemed fine by morning. They assumed it was “something they ate” and went ahead with the event.


The child helped set the table and picked at some appetizers while everyone arrived. Within 36 hours, five of the eight guests developed classic norovirus symptoms. The two people who stayed healthy were the ones who:


  • Had minimal contact with the child
  • Washed their hands before and after eating
  • Avoided finger foods and stuck to plated, served dishes

When we reviewed what happened, the parents were clear: if they had understood how contagious norovirus is—and that you can still spread it for at least 48 hours after symptoms—they would have postponed the gathering. The following year, they put a simple “no recent stomach bugs” guideline in their invitation and kept handwashing front and center. Nobody got sick.


“We realized it wasn’t about being paranoid; it was about being considerate. Keeping one kid home would have saved five adults from a really rough week.”
— Parent from a post‑holiday follow‑up visit (name changed)

Protecting high‑risk loved ones: older adults, kids, and immunocompromised people

While norovirus is miserable for almost everyone, certain groups are more likely to experience complications from dehydration:


  • Adults over 65
  • Infants and young children
  • People with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems
  • Residents of nursing homes or long‑term care facilities

To better protect them during a season of increasing norovirus activity:


  • Encourage strict hand hygiene for anyone interacting with high‑risk individuals.
  • Avoid visits if you’ve had any vomiting or diarrhea in the last 48 hours.
  • Offer pre‑plated meals rather than shared bowls and buffets.
  • Keep oral rehydration solutions (like electrolyte drinks) on hand in case of illness.

A caregiver offering a glass of water to an older adult sitting on a couch
Older adults are more vulnerable to dehydration from norovirus, making prevention and early hydration especially important.

Common myths about norovirus—and what the science really says

  • Myth 1: “It’s just food poisoning from one bad meal.”
    Reality: Norovirus is a virus, and while it often spreads through contaminated food, it also spreads from person to person and through surfaces.
  • Myth 2: “Hand sanitizer is enough.”
    Reality: Alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus. Soap and water are strongly recommended whenever possible.
  • Myth 3: “Once I stop vomiting, I’m safe to be around others.”
    Reality: People can shed norovirus and remain contagious for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve, and sometimes longer.
  • Myth 4: “Bleach is overkill.”
    Reality: Norovirus is tough to inactivate. Bleach‑based cleaners (used correctly) are among the most reliable ways to disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Trusted resources for up‑to‑date norovirus information

For the latest data and detailed guidance, refer to:




Bringing it all together: enjoying the season while staying safer

Norovirus cases are rising ahead of the holiday season, and that reality can feel discouraging when all you want is a joyful, relaxing time with the people you care about. The goal isn’t to eliminate every risk—that’s impossible—but to stack the odds in your favor with a few consistent habits.


If you remember only three things, let them be these:


  1. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
  2. Stay home and avoid preparing food for others if you’ve had vomiting or diarrhea within the last 48 hours.
  3. Clean and disinfect kitchens and bathrooms, particularly after anyone has been sick.

These steps may sound simple, but they’re backed by solid public health data and have helped countless families avoid turning one “stomach bug” into a household‑wide ordeal. You deserve a holiday season centered on connection—not on scrambling for buckets and electrolyte drinks.


Your next step: Pick one or two prevention habits from this article and put them into practice at your very next gathering—then share these strategies with your guests, coworkers, or family. Small actions, repeated, can help keep entire communities healthier.