--- title: Where in the World Is Norovirus Commonly Found? date: 2021-11-07T14:00:00-08:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/where-in-the-world-is-norovirus-commonly-found" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Case News](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news) / # Where in the World Is Norovirus Commonly Found? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that [norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/norovirus-outbreak-litigation) causes nearly 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis annually, making noroviruses the leading cause of gastroenteritis in adults in the United States. Nature has created an ingenious bug in norovirus. The round blue ball structure of norovirus is a protein surrounding the virus’s genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of cells lining the intestine, and then transfers its genetic material into those cells. Once the genetic material has been transferred, norovirus reproduces, finally killing the human cells and releasing new copies of itself that attach to more cells of the intestine’s lining. Humans are the only host of norovirus, and norovirus has several mechanisms that allow it to spread quickly and easily. Norovirus infects humans in a pathway like the influenza virus’ mode of infection. In addition to their similar infective pathways, norovirus and influenza also evolve to avoid the immune system in a similar way. Norovirus can survive a wide range of temperatures and in many different environments. Moreover, the viruses can spread quickly, especially in places where people are in proximity, such as cruise ships and airline flights, even those of short duration. Norovirus causes nearly 60% of all foodborne illness outbreaks. Norovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route, with fewer than 100 norovirus particles needed to cause infection. Transmission occurs either person-to-person or through contamination of food or water. Infected individuals shed the virus in large numbers in their vomit and stool, shedding the highest number of viral particles while they are ill. Aerosolized vomit has also been implicated as a mode of norovirus transmission. [Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm](http://www.marlerclark.com/), is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) outbreaks. The [Norovirus lawyers](https://marlerclark.com/food-litigation/norovirus-outbreak-litigation) of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $800 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) lawyers have litigated [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a number of food products and restaurants. If you or a family member became ill with [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark [Norovirus](http://www.about-norovirus.com/) attorneys for a free case evaluation. ### Other Norovirus Lawsuits [240 with Norovirus linked to Sushi Nine](https://marlerclark.com/240-with-norovirus-linked-to-sushi-nine) [Norovirus Outbreak Tied to Illinois Restaurant Monical's Pizza](https://marlerclark.com/norovirus-outbreak-tied-to-illinois-restaurant-monicals-pizza) [CDC now reports Norovirus Oyster Outbreak growing - 192 ill in United States](https://marlerclark.com/norovirus-outbreak-linked-to-raw-oysters-sickens-hundreds) [23 sickened in Norovirus Outbreak linked to Habit Burger Grill in Washington State](https://marlerclark.com/23-sickened-in-norovirus-outbreak-linked-to-habit-burger-grill-in-washington) [Arby's Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Nearly 100 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The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [Norovirus Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/about-norwalk) What is Norovirus? When someone talks about having “the stomach flu,” they are probably describing acute-onset gastroenteritis caused by one of the noroviruses, which are members of the “calcivirus” family... ###### [Symptoms and Risks of Norovirus Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-symptoms-risks) Norovirus causes a relatively short, intense illness characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. The most common symptoms are sudden onset of vomiting and watery diarrhea, although stomach cramps... ###### [How is Norovirus Infection Diagnosed?](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-diagnosis) Norovirus can be detected in an infected person’s stool or vomit through laboratory testing. Diagnosis of norovirus illness is based on the combination of symptoms, particularly the prominence of vomiting... ###### [Treatment for Norovirus Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-treatment) Norovirus typically resolves without treatment; however, dehydration is a concern. Collecting a stool sample and using molecular methods to find viral RNA is the preferred method to test for norovirus... ###### [Preventing Norovirus Infection](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-prevention) Norovirus infection can be prevented through attention to proper sanitation and cooking procedures. The role of food handlers has been documented substantially, highlighting that keeping ill food handlers out of... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)