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New Norovirus Strain Causing Most Outbreaks
Most norovirus outbreaks seen late last year in the U.S. were caused by a novel strain known as GII.4 Sydney that appears to have largely replaced the previous dominant strain, the CDC reported.
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According to a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 141 of 266 norovirus outbreaks tracked from September to December 2012 were caused by the novel strain.
“Right now, it’s too soon to tell whether the new strain of norovirus will lead to more outbreaks than in previous years. However, CDC continues to work with state partners to watch this closely and see if the strain is associated with more severe illness,” said CDC epidemiologist Aron Hall, DVM, MSPH, in an agency press release.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/37034
I picked up a norovirus-type illness years ago while travelling and it almost ruined my vacation. I was never so intensely ill in such a short period of time. I can see how it can be dangerous to the very young and elderly. It was terrible.