APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) The seasonal norovirus -- most commonly known as the stomach flu -- is hitting our area with a new, powerful strain. The "Sydney strain" originated in Australia and can cause severe, almost crippling intestinal pain, as well as nausea and diarrhea.
It's passed in many ways, like touching, coughing and especially through contaminated food or water. Nationwide, 70,000 are hospitalized each year. So far, no mass outbreaks have occurred in our area. But health officials believe it could only be a matter of time.
"If you're in a room where someone vomited, you may be exposed just because you're nearby. Or if that person touched a hard surface you could pick it up that way also," says Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht with the Appleton Health Department.
