Norovirus in Texas
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Often called the 'stomach flu' or 'winter vomiting bug,' it is the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks worldwide. Track Norovirus activity and outbreaks specific to Texas.
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What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis in the United States and globally. It causes approximately 21 million illnesses, 70,000 hospitalizations, and 800 deaths annually in the U.S. alone. The virus is extremely contagious - just a few viral particles can cause infection, and infected people can shed billions of virus particles.
Symptoms
- Sudden onset of nausea and vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Stomach cramps and abdominal pain
- Low-grade fever
- Body aches and headache
- Fatigue and weakness
Transmission
Norovirus spreads through contaminated food or water, contact with contaminated surfaces, and direct person-to-person contact. The virus is extremely contagious and only a few viral particles are needed to cause infection. Outbreaks are common in closed environments like cruise ships, schools, and nursing homes.
Contagious Period: From symptom onset through at least 3 days after recovery (virus can be shed up to 2 weeks)
Prevention
- Thorough handwashing with soap and water (alcohol sanitizers less effective)
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
- Cook shellfish thoroughly
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaners
- Stay home when sick and for 48 hours after symptoms resolve
- Avoid preparing food for others when ill
- Wash laundry thoroughly if contaminated
Texas Health Resources
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
We're Monitoring Texas
Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Norovirus activity across Texas. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.
Get instant push notifications when Norovirus activity increases in Texas or your specific county.
Texas Health Department
For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Texas, visit your state health department's website.
Protecting Yourself in Texas
Whether you live in Texas, are traveling there, or have family in the state, understanding Norovirus prevention is essential. Follow these evidence-based prevention measures:
Prevention Measures
- Thorough handwashing with soap and water (alcohol sanitizers less effective)
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
- Cook shellfish thoroughly
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaners
- Stay home when sick and for 48 hours after symptoms resolve
- Avoid preparing food for others when ill
- Wash laundry thoroughly if contaminated
When to Seek Care
If you experience symptoms of Norovirus in Texas, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly.
Emergency symptoms: If you experience severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Expert Resources & References
Trusted information from leading health organizations
CDC
Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View CDC Resources →WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
Recent Norovirus Reports
No confirmed cases reported in Texas yet. Here are the latest Norovirus reports from our global surveillance network.
Norovirus cases are sharply rising acrossUS, CDC data and wastewater show massive spread, officials urge hygiene, handwashing and staying home to prevent dehydration and outbreaks A highly contagious stomach virus commonly known as the "vomit bug" is spreading across the United …
MAY 26 -- When news emerged of a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship recently, many Malaysians may not have paid much attention to it. Stomach bugs during travel are often assumed to be routine food poisoning or a minor inconvenience that passes after a d…
The FDA is asking restaurants and retailers to immediately stop serving and selling the product and throw them away. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall of some shellfish that were distributed in at least four states because of possible norovirus concerns. …
Recent outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on cruise ships are making headlines, but they're unlikely to dim the growing popularity of vacation cruises, according to industry representatives and travel experts. In fact, many within the industry still expect a record number of …
This event envelope contains reports on norovirus outbreaks in France. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=41ca88f5-9a11-42ae-958f-1a09f1d9f58a)
An acute intestinal infection outbreak in Murom has rapidly escalated to 375 cases over four days, with norovirus identified as the likely pathogen and waterborne transmission under investigation following suspected water infrastructure contamination. Authorities have mobilized c…
This event envelope contains reports on norovirus outbreaks in the USA. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=4de82455-1c8b-4d54-afbb-ca7bed7187ac)
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus AI-Generated Image ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed * A norovirus outbreak on Caribbean Princess sickened 102 passengers and 13 crew members * Norovirus causes gastroenteritis with symptoms like vomiting, diarrh…
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Norovirus answered by our epidemiology team
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