Norovirus expected to peak this winter as data shows earlier appearance

The norovirus is a concern all year, but experts say it peaks during the winter months.

“It is unclear why,” said Hartford HealthCare's chief epidemiologist, Dr. Ulysses Wu. “A lot of this has to do with hand-washing and close quarters.”

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Sheree Piperidis, a professor of Physician Assistant Studies at Quinnipiac University, says a newer variant also plays a role.

“Older strains that people had immunity for are now changing, and so the immune system hasn’t seen this new virus,” Piperidis said. “Therefore, transmission is much easier than it has been before.”

This winter is expected to be no different, with wastewater data from WastewaterSCAN showing the virus is spreading early .

“The wastewater data is very impo