McHenry County warned residents a couple of spike in norovirus circumstances this week.Norovirus is a really contagious virus and is typically known as the “abdomen flu” or “abdomen bug,” based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.Individuals can get in poor health by caring for these with norovirus, sharing meals or utensils with in poor health individuals, consuming contaminated meals or touching contaminated surfaces after which placing unwashed fingers of their mouths. Signs of norovirus embrace abdomen ache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fevers and complications.The McHenry County Division of Well being has acquired a rise of studies of norovirus circumstances within the county, the county mentioned in a Fb put up. Well being division officers mentioned eight outbreaks of norovirus have been recognized since Dec. 1, and 317 individuals have been in poor health with norovirus because of the outbreaks. The well being division mentioned 4 outbreaks have been present in colleges plus extra clusters, that are smaller.“Faculties will name for infectious illness steerage if they’re seeing will increase in gastrointestinal sickness as a way to stop an outbreak,” McHenry County Division of Well being Director of Nursing Susan Karras mentioned in an e mail.“Norovirus is just not reportable as a person case, however it’s reported if there are outbreaks. … There aren’t any particular commonalities, however the virus is widespread sufficient that it warranted an alert and schooling from the MCDH,” Karras mentioned.These with norovirus ought to drink fluids, relaxation and eat a gentle, bland food regimen. They need to additionally keep house till they’re symptom-free for twenty-four hours, based on the county’s put up. To keep away from norovirus, the CDC recommends washing arms usually, rinsing vegatables and fruits, and cooking shellfish totally.The well being division additionally inspired washing arms with cleaning soap and water after utilizing the restroom, altering diapers or touching surfaces, noting hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus.Norovirus nationally is climbing, with the Midwest having a PCR take a look at positivity price of practically 13.5% as of March 2, the newest information obtainable, based on the CDC. Norovirus is at present highest within the Northeast, with a positivity price of 16.1%. The positivity price is at present 12.8% within the West and lowest within the South at 12.6%. Nationally, norovirus has a 15.4% positivity price.Outbreaks are most typical from November to April, based on the CDC. In March 2022, the well being division additionally reported an uptick in norovirus.