Norovirus and Holiday Buffets: A Hidden Threat This Thanksgiving

As families and communities begin preparing for Thanksgiving gatherings, buffet-style meals are expected to be at the center of many celebrations. However, while buffets promote convenience and tradition, they can also become a major source of norovirus outbreaks—particularly during holiday seasons when large groups share food in closed environments. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for an estimated 58% of food poisoning cases annually. What makes it especially dangerous is its extremely high level of contagiousness; it takes as few as 18 viral particles to cause infection.

Unlike bacterial pathogens that require time or specific temperature conditions to multiply, norovirus can spread rapidly through direct contact, contaminated surfac