Outbreaks of the highly contagious stomach virus are more than double what they were last year at the time, CDC says. Protect yourself by washing hands with soap often — antibacterial gel doesn't work well against the virus.

A norovirus infection is characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea. Outbreaks are often seen on cruise ships, in congregate living situations like nursing homes and jails, as well as schools and places where people are close together. Here are a few things to know about the virus.

Norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, has been seeing a surge in the United States. The spike in cases mirrors trends in Minnesota, where the state saw double its average December cases, according to local health authorities.

Outbreaks of the stomach flu are spreading across the U.S and are far higher than average for December over the past 12 years, according to CDC figures.

Cases of a wretched stomach bug are surging in parts of the United States this winter, according to government data. The most recent numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus reported during the week of Dec.

Norovirus cases are surging across the country this winter, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. There were 91 outbreaks reported by state health departments during the week of Dec.

Cases of a wretched stomach bug are surging in parts of the United States this winter, according to government data.