Keep washing your hands and stay away from people who may be sick.
That’s the advice Hawaii state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park gives to avoid catching the newest strain of stomach bug.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the past four months there have been more than 140 outbreaks in the U.S. caused by a new strain of norovirus. These kinds of contagious bugs cause bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
In the U.S., it is now accounting for about 60 percent of norovirus outbreaks, according to a report released Thursday by the CDC.
While the new strain has been seen in Hawaii, there have been no outbreaks like those on the mainland.
Both Park and the CDC said the new norovirus, known as the Sydney strain, does not appear to be unusually dangerous. But it is different, and many people might not be able to fight off its gut-wrenching effects.
It often spreads in places like schools, cruise ships and nursing homes. The new strain was blamed for a recent outbreak on the Queen Mary 2.
Every two or three years, a new strain evolves; the last was in 2009. The Sydney strain’s appearance has coincided with a spike in influenza, perhaps contributing to the perception that this is a particularly bad flu season in the U.S.
Park said health officials have seen more cases here since December, but "it’s not surprising for this time of the year," adding, "We get so many travelers that eventually everything makes its way here."
She added there is nothing unusual in the presence of norovirus.
"We see norovirus here year-round with a heavy activity in the first months of every year," Park added.
She said norovirus is "extremely contagious" and the best way to combat contracting the illness is to wash your hands, "being careful in what you put into your mouth" and avoiding people who are ill.
Norovirus can also spread in the air, through droplets that fly when a sick person vomits.
For those infected, there’s really no medicine. They just have to ride it out for the day or two of severe symptoms, and guard against dehydration, experts said.
Each year, noroviruses cause an estimated 21 million illnesses and 800 deaths, the CDC says.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
