The 3 foods fuelling the spread of norovirus – the worst offenders exposed as cases surge

IF you’re doing everything you can do avoid norovirus at moment then you’re probably ferociously washing your hands and trying to avoid people who are ill.

And fair enough, cases of the super-contagious stomach bug are on the rise now – in fact they’re twice as high as they usually are for this time of year.

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Norovirus cases are twice as high as they usually are for this time of year[/caption]

The vomiting bug was spotted 797 times in the two weeks ending March 19, 91 per cent higher more times than the five-year average, new UK Health Security Agency figures revealed.

NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the health service has “worryingly” seen high numbers in hospitals.

He said: “Thousands of patients are still in hospital every day with winter viruses, including double the number of norovirus cases compared to this time last year.”

Most people become sick with norovirus after having direct contact with someone who’s infected by the bug. This includes touching a surface which has been contaminated with poop or vomit particles from an infected person and then put unwashed hands near their mouth.

So washing your hands regularly is a good way of avoiding the bug.

But there’s another mode of transmission you ought to be aware of: You can pick up norovirus from your favourite foods too.

When norovirus is circulating in your community it’s just more likely it will end up on your plate after being handled by someone else.

Lots of norovirus outbreaks linked to food begin in restaurants or at catered events when infected staff touch ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands before serving them.

Still, any food that’s simply touched, even after it’s been cooked, can get contaminated with norovirus if an infected person is handling it – so it doesn’t even had to be the chef who’s contagious.

Outbreaks of the bug can also stem from when the food is contaminated at the farm it comes from. For example, when vegetables are sprayed with contaminated water while in a field, the Centre for Disease Control says.

The three foods that are most often linked to norovirus outbreaks are:

1. leafy greens
2. fresh fruits
3. shellfish

How to avoid it

Pay close attention to hygiene – wash your hands frequently, using soap and water, the NHS suggests.

When it comes to food, make sure to wash fresh produce before you eat it.

It’s also important to cook shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees to ensure potential viral particles are killed. 

And if you suspect food in your home has come into contact with someone with the bug, it’s best to toss it.

Things get a little trickier when you go out to eat at a restaurant or rely on someone else to prepare your food for you.

Speaking to SELF, Professor Thomas Russo of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York, US, suggests avoiding uncooked foods like salads (which often contain leafy greens and raw fruits or vegetables) when ordering.

It’s also worth looking for places where people who come into contact with your food openly wear gloves, Professor Darin Detwiler of food safety at Northeastern University in Boston, US, says.

“Think about those who make your burrito or your sandwich—[gloves] are something to look for,” he tells SELF.

This isn’t a perfect way of protecting yourself, but it doesn’t hurt to prioritize this if you’re trying to keep your meal as germ-free as possible.