Norovirus Cases Spike in Snohomish
The Snohomish County Health District has issued a warning about a recent spike in norovirus cases. Officials are urging residents to practice frequent and thorough handwashing to prevent the spread of the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness.
While Snohomish County is currently grappling with a measles outbreak that began in January 2026, health officials are also monitoring an increase in norovirus cases. The Snohomish County Health Department has issued a notice to food service operators regarding a recent rise in suspected foodborne illnesses involving norovirus. Norovirus is known to spread rapidly in community settings, and the advisory for food establishments emphasizes preventative measures. These include the exclusion of ill food workers from the workplace until they have been symptom-free for at least three days and promoting rigorous handwashing protocols. Symptoms of norovirus typically include diarrhea, projectile vomiting, and stomach pain, which usually last for one to two days. An infected person can remain contagious for up to two weeks after they have recovered. Nationally, from August 1, 2025, to February 5, 2026, there have been 644 norovirus outbreaks reported by states participating in the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). While this is lower than the 1,707 outbreaks reported during the same period in the previous season, it still represents a significant number of cases.
