"Unfortunately, some public health experts said the virus may spread faster this season. That's because a new strain of the virus appeared last year, spurring more outbreaks. This new strain is more contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is probably driving the high transmission rates in some parts of the Bay Area, said Peter Chin-Hong, a UCSF professor of microbiology and immunology."
"But last year, a new variety, GII.17, became the most common strain of norovirus in the U.S. That strain is more contagious and drove a spike in norovirus outbreaks nationally last winter, according to CDC data. The agency's researchers think it originated from a 2021 outbreak in Romania. From autumn 2023 to spring 2024, Santa Clara County officials confirmed two norovirus outbreaks. The following virus season, as the new variant spread in 2024 and 2025, brought 16 outbreaks, according to a county public health spokesperson."
Autumn brings increased norovirus activity in the Bay Area, causing vomiting and diarrhea during the cold and flu season. A new GII.17 norovirus strain emerged last year, is more contagious, and prompted a national spike in outbreaks after likely originating from a 2021 Romania outbreak, according to CDC data. Santa Clara County confirmed two outbreaks in autumn 2023–spring 2024 and 16 outbreaks during the following season as the variant spread in 2024–2025. Wastewater testing shows high concentrations in Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Vallejo. Wastewater signals typically precede illnesses and occasional hospitalizations, though public health officials are not sounding an alarm.
Read at The Mercury News
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