By Zohar Ben Simon, Staff Writer
Earlier this month, an email was sent out by YU warning all students to take cautionary measures for the prevention of the newly detected disease, the Norovirus and that several students “reported symptoms, including stomach pains and vomiting.” You may have noticed in recent weeks that New York City has experienced a drastic jump in the cases of the newly detected Norovirus.
The city is generally the first to face disease and virus outbreaks due to its dense population, as seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Between October and December of 2024, over 2,300 cases of norovirus infections were diagnosed in New York City; a drastic increase to the approximate 1,000 diagnosed infections around the same time in 2023. After facing a frightening four years of COVID-19, people now have a heightened sense of fear and a greater understanding of the need for caution when new diseases begin to spread. Effective hygiene, alongside public health measures and good communication, will allow for a confident and proactive response to the Norovirus.
The Norovirus is highly contagious; you can get infected by consuming contaminated food or water,, being near someone who has the infection or even just touching a contaminated surface or object and touching your mouth. Since the Norovirus can survive various temperatures and even some disinfectants, it proves difficult to get rid of.
In New York, the quick spreading of the Norovirus was attributed to unhygienic food handling. Contaminated foods, such as seafood or unwashed fruits or vegetables, should be avoided. Before eating at a friend’s house, be sure that everyone is feeling healthy. It is even possible to acquire the Norovirus at a restaurant, therefore watching where you eat is very important.. Being in proximity to those who are infected is definitely a risk, and people should be cautious.
The symptoms of the Norovirus are similar to those of a stomach bug. People infected with the virus can be plagued by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain. Along with these symptoms, some people experience fevers, headaches and body aches. The direct symptoms also lead to a complication of being unable to keep nutrients inside the body, which furthers the risk of dehydration. Dehydration can cause dizziness, dry mouth and headaches, as well as make eating and drinking a difficulty.
YU’s email said to all students that it is “taking strong proactive action” by “conducting comprehensive sanitizing of all common areas.” Despite these efforts, there is unfortunately no way to cure the Norovirus. It is crucial to wash your hands with soap and water, wash your fruits and vegetables, cook your food thoroughly, avoid contact with those who have the infection and sanitize surfaces. Avoiding infection is the best way to ensure safety, however getting sick is inevitable, especially considering hand sanitizer is not effective against the Norovirus. If you contract the infection, it is crucial to drink liquids and rest. You should also allow the infection to run its course, since the symptoms should die down after about one to three days.
Although the spread of the Norovirus may seem frightening, it is important to stay positive and safe during these times, and remember that this disease is nothing more than a stomach bug.