Only certain cleaners kill norovirus, a leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness. Why is that?

Parts of the country, including Florida, have seen a rise in cases this year of norovirus, a contagious virus that often causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. People know it as the stomach flu, stomach bug or the “cruise ship virus” because it’s often the cause of most diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships.

The dreaded norovirus stomach bug is surging in the United States, and cases are on the rise here in St. Louis. Known for its quick spread and painful symptoms, it’s left many bedridden this winter.

A virus known as the stomach bug that has surged across parts of the country is the cause of nearly all diarrhea outbreaks reported on cruise ships that docked at U.S. ports in 2024, federal data shows.

Stomach bugs are highly contagious and spread easily from person to person through ingesting the virus, which can be found in feces and vomit.

The dreaded norovirus illness known for severe bouts of vomiting, diarrhea and cramps is making life miserable for an increasing number of people as the illness surges.

Outbreaks of norovirus across the country in 2024 are more than double the cases of the illness compared to previous years, according to a CDC report.