Stomach Virus Surges As Vaccinations Decline

A stomach virus that can hospitalize babies and young children is circulating at elevated levels in and around New York City as doctors track more vomiting and diarrhea cases. (nbcnewyork.com) The virus is rotavirus, which spreads when tiny amounts of stool from an infected person get onto hands, surfaces, food, or objects and then into someone’s mouth. It can cause severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration that can last several days. (nyc.gov) (nbcnewyork.com) Federal surveillance shows rotavirus activity has climbed since January 2026. In the week ending April 4, 2026, 7.3% of 2,329 reported rotavirus tests were positive, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracking cited by multiple outlets. (cdc.gov) (beckershospitalreview.com) New York City health officials are also warning families about vaccine gaps. The city’s Childhood Vaccination Data Explorer says coverage is tracked for children ages 6 months to 17 years using the Citywide Immunization Registry, and the department says higher community coverage lowers the risk that vaccine-preventable disease will spread. (nyc.gov) New York State and New York City reiterated on January 29, 2026 that they still recommend the full American Academy of Pediatrics childhood schedule, including rotavirus vaccine. The agencies said school immunization requirements, insurance coverage, and the Vaccines for Children program were unchanged. (health.ny.gov) The concern is not that rotavirus is new. Before vaccines were introduced, the virus sent more than 200,000 children to emergency rooms and up to 70,000 to hospitals each year in the United States, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases as cited by NBC News. (nbcnewyork.com) Vaccination coverage has been slipping more broadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that kindergarten coverage for major required vaccines fell from about 95% in 2019-20 to below 93% in 2023-24, while exemption rates rose to 3.3%. (cdc.gov) That decline does not prove it caused the current rise in stomach illness, but pediatricians told NBC News they worry lower uptake will mean more severe cases and more hospitalizations if rotavirus keeps spreading. New York’s health agencies are making the opposite push, telling providers and families to keep children on schedule. (nbcnews.com) (health.ny.gov) For parents, the watchwords are dehydration and timing: fewer wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears, unusual sleepiness, or symptoms that do not ease after a few days are reasons to call a doctor. For public health officials, the next test is whether vaccination rates stabilize before another virus that used to be routine in pediatric wards gets another foothold. (nbcnewyork.com)