Stomach bug ravaging Sussex County but it’s not coming from foodborne outbreak, health officials say

Sussex County health officials are warning area residents about an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness they believe is caused by norovirus.

The Sussex County Division of Health announced last week they were investigating a rise in gastrointestinal illness after receiving an increase in reports of symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, particularly from individuals who dined out in Sussex County between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1.

On Monday, health officials said early findings suggest the outbreak may be caused by norovirus.

In a press release, officials said emails and calls from the public were “crucial in identifying the common symptoms experienced by many residents.”

Norovirus causes symptoms that can be unpleasant to talk about — excessive vomiting and diarrhea chief among them.

It can also lead to severe dehydration, especially in young children and older adults. Each year, the virus causes 900 deaths, mostly among adults aged 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It spreads quickly and seems to come out of nowhere. Symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure, according to the CDC.

While the most severe symptoms usually only last a few days, people can still spread the virus for two weeks or more after feeling better.

You can get it by:

• Having direct contact with someone who’s sick, such as by caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
• Consuming contaminated food or drinks.
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting unwashed fingers in your mouth.

Food is a major way norovirus spreads. Most reported outbreaks are caused by people who touch or prepare food while sick, or sometimes by food that comes from contaminated water, according to the CDC.

However, an environmental assessment in Sussex County identified no issues within any food establishments, according to a press release.

The recent outbreak in New Jersey is more consistent with a common viral stomach illness rather than a facility-related cause, officials said.

While norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year, they’re most common from November to April. During these peak months, health officials urge residents to take preventative measures to stop the spread of gastrointestinal illness.

Anyone who’s sick should avoid preparing or handling food for others and wait at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve before returning to work. Dirty linens with bodily fluids on them should be washed with detergent and hot water.

It’s also important to remember that alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not a substitute for hand washing and does not work well against norovirus, according to the CDC and medical professionals.

Nationwide, there were 31 outbreaks the week of Jan. 2 across the 14 states that report data to the CDC. That’s nearly a 35% increase from the week before. Despite the rise, cases are not considered unusually high for this time of year.

The total number of outbreaks reported so far this season is within the middle 50% of outbreaks reported in the same period during the 2012-2025 seasonal years, according to the CDC.

There is no treatment for norovirus infections. Doctors advise sick individuals to stay home, rest, and hydrate.