As of March 9, 2023:  We are currently in Spring norovirus season.  The Monterey County Health Department has received a few reports of small norovirus outbreaks.  We encourage providers to consider norovirus in their differential diagnosis for patients presenting with acute onset of gastrointestinal symptoms.  As as reminder, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.  Please utilize soap and water in your practices as much as possible for hand hygiene.

Individual cases of norovirus are not reportable in the state of California.  However, suspected outbreaks should be immediately reported to the Communicable Disease Unit.  Click here for more information about reporting requirements in Monterey County.  

Norovirus outbreak data for Monterey County can be found by clicking on the Local Data section of the norovirus home page.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) website for the most current information on clinical presentation and treatment.

The Monterey County Health Department recommends polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for confirming norovirus diagnosis, if specimens can be collected within 10 days of symptom onset.  PCR is available at the Monterey County Public Health Laboratory and any many commercial laboratories.  For more information about norovirus testing at the Monterey County Public Health Laboratory, call 831-755-4516.

For questions about norovirus or reporting, please contact the Monterey County Health Department's Communicable Disease Unit at 831-755-4521.

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