Scattered outbreaks of norovirus are taking place in South Florida and throughout the state, health officials say.
Norovirus, also called "stomach flu," causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramping. Symptoms may also include a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control. The illness often begins suddenly.
"For people with normal immune systems this is a self-limiting disease. In a day or two, it leaves," says Dr. Vincent Conte, chief epidemiologist for the Miami-Dade Health Department.
Miami-Dade reports two or three clusters of 10 to 25 cases each, mostly in assisted-living facilities.
Broward reports five or six clusters of a dozen or so cases each, also in assisted-living facilities.
Clusters have also been reported in some schools, but not in South Florida.
Throughout Florida, 61 clusters have been reported this year, compared with 47 clusters during the same two months of 2009.
Norovirus is not related to the regular flu, which is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, according to the CDC.