Severe Stomach Virus Rising in Florida

Florida parents are being warned to watch closely for vomiting-and-diarrhea illness in young children as rotavirus activity climbs this spring and dehydration can turn serious fast. (nbcnews.com) Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that inflames the stomach and intestines and can cause repeated vomiting, watery diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says young children, especially those under 5, are more likely to develop severe illness and dehydration. (cdc.gov) National surveillance data show this is not just a routine winter bug. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s rotavirus tracking system showed a steep rise beginning in January 2026, and outside reporting on those federal data said the share of positive tests reached 7.3% for the week ending April 4, above the 2025 seasonal peak. (cdc.gov, discovermagazine.com) Doctors are focusing on babies and toddlers because fluid loss hits them harder than older children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists decreased urination, dry mouth, crying with few or no tears, dizziness, unusual sleepiness and fussiness as dehydration warning signs. (cdc.gov, msdmanuals.com) The rise is landing during a season when families often lump every stomach illness together as “the stomach flu.” Rotavirus and norovirus can look similar at home, but rotavirus is the virus that has long been tied to the most severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children. (cdc.gov, cdc.gov) Before rotavirus vaccines were introduced, the virus caused more than 200,000 emergency room visits and up to 70,000 hospitalizations a year in U.S. children, according to figures cited by infectious-disease experts and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. NBC News reported this month that the vaccine now prevents an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations each year. (nbcnews.com) The vaccine is given by mouth starting at 2 months of age, and doctors tracking the current surge have raised concerns that lower vaccination rates could leave more children vulnerable. Florida health guidance for parents has also emphasized prompt care when vomiting continues, fever persists, or a child cannot keep fluids down. (nbcnews.com, floridahealth.gov) Prevention still comes down to basics that work: wash hands with soap and water, clean contaminated surfaces, keep sick children home, and be careful with shared food and utensils. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says these viruses spread easily through hands, food, liquids and surfaces, and sick people can keep spreading germs even after they start feeling better. (cdc.gov) For parents trying to decide when a stomach bug is no longer just a stomach bug, the red flags are concrete: persistent vomiting, fewer wet diapers, no tears, dry mouth, unusual sleepiness, or signs a child cannot replace lost fluids. That is the point when pediatricians and emergency departments want families to stop watching and start getting help. (cdc.gov, hcafloridahealthcare.com)