Health Officials Report Increase in Norovirus Outbreaks

Local and state public health officials across the state are seeing an increase in outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses- investigating eight norovirus outbreaks in the last six weeks. Outbreaks of norovirus often increase in winter months and this year’s activity is similar to outbreaks seen in 2016. This year’s outbreaks have occurred in the counties of Cascade, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Meagher, Missoula, Silver Bow and Yellowstone.

Norovirus, a very contagious virus that can affect anyone, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in Montana and the US. In fact, the average American...