What is Going on With the Highly Contagious Vomiting Bug?

Norovirus is back in the headlines after the CDC reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard the Caribbean Princess in May 2026 . While cruise ship outbreaks get a lot of attention, they represent only a small percentage of total norovirus outbreaks in the United States. Norovirus is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, responsible for about 685 million cases each year . It spreads mainly through the fecal–oral route and is extremely contagious. In fact, only a very small number of virus particles are needed to cause infection . Infected people can shed billions of particles in stool or vomit, contaminating surfaces and shared spaces . To stay safe, it is all about prevention which means cleaning surfaces and handwashing.