“It’s very fast moving and very contagious.”-Jennifer Robertson, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, Utah

09 January 2013, U.S. main stream media reporting that the cause of increased norovirus cases is a new version.  In December 2012 I reported that Japanese health officials reported a new strain that was sicken thousands of Japanese.  In March 2012 I warned that increased globalization of food markets could spread new diseases within the U.S. (mainly because the Federal government cut funding for Food & Drug Administration inspections of imported food).

The latest reports say the new version of norovirus was born in Australia, and it’s launch point in the U.S. is the Beehive State of Utah.  It’s called Genotype II.4 or Sydney 2012.

In Utah, at least 250 Mormon missionaries got sick at the missionary training camp. State health officials are investigating clusters of outbreaks.

In Oregon, reports that people visiting the zoo are getting sick. Beaver State health officials think that as many as 135 people got sick at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, back in December 2012. An independent media investigation revealed that the zoo’s restaurants avoided health inspections since 2006, through a loophole favoring state run businesses. To make matters worse, on 03 January 2013, health officials reported another outbreak in Portland. One hospital had 75 ER cases since December, and then four of their own doctors and a dozen nurses got sick.

And just because something is new, doesn’t mean it’s clean.  In Wyoming, Cowboy State health officials have linked a norovirus outbreak to a newly opened Golden Corral Buffet & Grill.  306 people were confirmed to be sick with the vomiting bug, in December 2012: “The real strong message is that there’s a definite, classic curve that shows that there was a point-source outbreak December 7th through 10th at Golden Corral restaurant.”-Robert Harrington, Casper-Natrona County Public Health Department

In California, two people died in Mill Valley, Marin County, after an outbreak last week.  On 08 January 2013, a private college prep school re-opened in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County, after it closed twice, because of outbreaks.  The first outbreak took place on 26 November 2012, after a teacher in-service day.  The second outbreak occurred among students in December.

In Nevada, health officials admit that norovirus cases are so common there, that they don’t keep stats!  In Las Vegas, casino owners swear they keep track in order to prevent spreading it to other casinos.  One state health official says it ain’t no thing: “We don’t keep statistics on it because it is so common.”-Jennifer Sizemore,  Southern Nevada Health District

Health officials in the United Kingdom don’t think it ain’t no thing.  They predict a million more Brits will get sick, compared to last year.  They’ve also issued a warning regarding blood donors!  The result is a shortage of the O-, or universal blood type.  On 07 January 2013, there were reports that hospital ERs were so full that people were being treated in ambulances.

In Taiwan (Republic of China), the Taipei City Government Department of Health reported 2,100 emergency room cases last week.  That’s double from the same time last year!  Health officials say it’s almost a guarantee that if one family member gets sick, the whole family will be sick soon.

In Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hospitals are getting hit with a double whammy of norovirus and influenza.  Alberta Health Services reports hospitals are more than 100% occupancy.  Elective surgeries are being canceled due to concerns over infections.  Albertans are being asked to be more selective in seeking help: “We are looking to Albertans to educate themselves on the options available for their care to ensure they get the care they need quickly, and also to help reduce the pressures on our ERs during this season.”-William Dickout, Edmonton medical director

Back in the U.S. of A.  The Maine Center for Disease Control (MCDC) says it’s concerned about the flu/norovirus double whammy, as norovirus has spread from York County: “Norovirus is totally different from influenza. They are both happening in Maine right now, and you have to know a little bit about each one to protect yourself.”-Stephen Sears, MCDC

There is no treatment for norovirus, no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….