Alberta sees slight increase in Norovirus cases

Alberta is seeing a slight rise in the number of people sick with Norovirus.

A total of 295 Norovirus cases were reported in Alberta for 2022, and so far this year, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 87 cases were reported.

Alberta Health told CityNews 2018 had the most reported cases within the last five years, with over 500.

The highly contagious virus can cause vomiting and diarrhea, spreading through contaminated food or infected people.

Those who’ve contracted it say they wouldn’t wish it on their worst enemy, and those who haven’t hope they never do.

River Scappaticci is one of many Albertans who’ve suffered through the bug.

She says she caught it from eating contaminated food made by an infected friend.

” … just suddenly felt ill. I had a fever, aches and pains, and chills. Just feeling awful. I knew as soon as the symptoms started, it was Norovirus. It’s horrible,” she told CityNews.

“It just did not feel like a normal stomach flu or bug. It was violent.”

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It didn’t take long for symptoms to kick in for her, and she says a lack of sleep and dehydration quickly took their toll.

“I became delirious. I was hallucinating… I saw a bag of pretzels on my side table, and then they weren’t there … there were things on my shelves moving,” Scappaticci said.

“It was weird. I couldn’t even keep water down at one point.”

The best way to prevent norovirus is by washing your hands and safely handling and preparing food… most people with this virus get better within one to three days.