Workers Are Getting Sick to Their Stomach - A New Virus

A new outbreak of the "stomach virus" is affecting workers and some fatally. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has explained why this is happening and what cautions can be taken to prevent the spread of this illness.

A new strain of norovirus called GII.4 Sydney was the leading cause of norovirus outbreaks in the United States from September to December 2012, according to a study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new strain was detected in Australia in March 2012, and caused outbreaks in that country and several other countries.

CDC researchers analyzed 2012 data collected through CaliciNet on norovirus strains associated with outbreaks in the United States. They found that of the 266 norovirus outbreaks reported during the last four months of 2012, 141 were caused by the GII.4 Sydney strain.