ARLnow: Stomach bug cases surge in Arlington as experts warn of norovirus

By Dan Egitto

A notoriously contagious stomach bug’s spread through Arlington has public health experts urging extra precautions.

An alert about a wave of suspected norovirus cases went out to Arlington Public Schools families last week as reported “norovirus-like outbreaks” have surged in Northern Virginia since late 2024.

Experts are encouraging people to wash their hands thoroughly, watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness and stay home for at least two to three days after symptoms stop. “It’s highly contagious,” Dr. Jennifer Primeggia, a specialist in infectious disease and internal medicine at VHC Health, told ARLnow. “Everyone wants to do the right thing and everyone wants to take care of each other — but realize that you’re contagious from the start of symptoms to three days after you feel better.”

Norovirus spreads easily, especially in health care facilities, restaurants and catered events, schools and child care centers, and cruise ships, according to a county fact sheet.

People typically get sick through direct contact with an infected person, from eating contaminated food or drinks or from touching contaminated items and then putting unwashed hands in their mouth.

The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. They usually set in 12 to 48 hours after exposure and last for one to three days. “If you had that and you’re better, it was probably norovirus,” Primeggia said.

The doctor warned that some people have shown the virus for up to two weeks to a month after symptoms have gone away. VHC Health averaged around 18 to 20 positive norovirus tests per week in December, she said.

While that number has fallen in the new year, suspected outbreaks in Northern Virginia still remain well above the number reported this time last year, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health.

There is no medicine to treat norovirus, experts note, but people who fall ill are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Additionally, Primeggia warned that hand sanitizer won’t kill this particular virus — making it all the more essential for people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

This is especially important after using the toilet or changing diapers, before preparing and eating food, and before taking or giving someone medicine.

People should also thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables and use bleach-based cleaner to disinfect surfaces with vomit or diarrhea on them.

“The best advice I can give is, if you’re feeling unwell, stay home, and if you’re not better in a couple days, reach out to your health care provider,” Primeggia said.

More information from Arlington Public Health on the virus’s spread and ways to stay healthy is below.

1. Data/Information on Norovirus
   • Norovirus outbreaks increase in winter months, with “norovirus season” is typically from November through April (VDH GI Regional External Talking Points).
   • The most common norovirus symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain or cramps, and/or fever (Arlington Norovirus Fact Sheet – also available in other languages: Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Mongolian, Spanish).
   • While individual cases of norovirus are not a reportable condition in Virginia, outbreaks are reportable (VDH GI Regional External Talking Points).
     • Norovirus spreads easily in healthcare facilities (including long-term care and hospitals), restaurants (including catered events), schools and childcare, and cruise ships.
     • Arlington has had an increase in norovirus outbreak reports over this winter season.
   • Emergency room and urgent care visits are regularly monitored for increases in gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses, including norovirus, by region in Virginia.
     • The Northern Region (which includes Arlington, along with Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William) has had an increase in its emergency room/urgent care visits and reported outbreaks related to GI illness over the past month (VDH Gastrointestinal (GI) Illness in Virginia, by Region). This increase is similar to trends in Virginia and the U.S.
2. Keeping Healthy During Norovirus Season Below are actions you can take to limit the spread of norovirus infection (Arlington Norovirus Fact Sheet – also available in other languages: Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Mongolian, Spanish).
   • One of the best tools to prevent getting sick from norovirus is proper handwashing:
     • Thoroughly wash all surfaces of your hands for at least 20 seconds, with plenty of soap and water. (Note: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus (CDC)).
     • Properly wash your hands before preparing and eating food, taking or giving someone medicine, and touching your eyes, nose, and/or mouth.
     • Properly wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
   • If you are sick, stay home and away from others for at least 2 days after symptoms stop, to avoid getting others sick.
   • If you or someone in your household gets sick:
     • Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces with vomit or diarrhea on them.
       • Use a bleach-based cleaner, and follow the product’s instructions.
       • To disinfect non-porous surfaces, you can mix 1 cup regular strength household bleach (5.25%) with one gallon water and leave on affected area at least 5 minutes (VDH).
       • EPA maintains a list of products that are effective against norovirus.
   • Wash clothes and linens soiled with vomit or diarrhea, using detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length, and then machine dry at the highest recommended heat setting (following manufacturer instructions) (CDC).
   • Do not prepare food or care for others when sick and for 2–3 days after symptoms stop.