Seasonal stomach virus circulating in New York City

Seasonal stomach virus circulating in New York City

NEW YORK, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The highly contagious stomach illness that typically turns up in each fall is circulating in New York City, the New York Health Department reported Monday.

The department's surveillance system finds that visits to the city's emergency departments for vomiting and diarrhea have increased 19 percent in the past two weeks, to about 400 per day, according to a report posted on the metropolitan government's website.

New Yorkers are suggested to take basic steps to prevent the illness, such as washing hands thoroughly and regularly.

The illnesses have been attributed to norovirus, which affects people of all ages and is transmitted by faecally contaminated food or water and by person-to-person contact.

Norovirus infections are usually not serious and most people get better within a few days, according to the report.