INFLUENZA and the norovirus are on the rise and spreading across the country, including in Belmont County, officials report.

The Belmont County Health Department does not deal with the norovirus unless there is a large outbreak, such as in a nursing home; however, it is seeing an increase in cases of influenza type A, with 29 reported hospitalizations due to the virus in January. The health department only reports to the state cases in which people are hospitalized.

In January 2024, the department reported 13 cases and in 2023 saw three cases that led to hospitalizations.

Director of Nursing Gabby Timko gave the example that if she tested positive for the flu at an urgent care facility, that result isn’t included with the 29 cases reported.

Therefore, the number of people having the flu could be higher. The department is seeing more cases of type A influenza rather than type B. Type A is more common, making up about 75% of cases. It can also infect animals, such as birds and pigs, while type B only affects humans, according to the National Council on Aging.

“The Flu A virus is divided into subtypes based on two proteins found on its surface. These subtypes can combine in different ways to form various strains of flu A — like H1N1 and H3N2, which are the two main strains that currently affect humans,” NCOA states. “This versatility allows flu A to mutate and change more frequently, making it harder for our immune system to recognize and fight off.”

Timko said the Ohio Department of Health’s weekly report states there is an increase in hospitalizations for the flu, and the number of related emergency department visits and outpatient visits are increasing.

In Ohio, there have been 730 hospitalizations related to the flu, which is a 24.57% increase from the week prior, according to ODH.

Timko said many people who have gotten their flu shot are still getting the flu, but their symptoms aren’t as severe. She also received some reports from schools that are reporting a lot of cases of the flu. There have been some cases in long-term care facilities in the county as well.

Timko advises people to stay away from anyone who is coughing and to stay home if you know you have the flu. She also recommends frequent hand washing with soap and water and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

She said people can still come get flu shots at the health department and, although it is a little late for one, “getting it is better than not.”

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, norovirus cases have gone up in the United States in December and January.

Norovirus, commonly referred to as the “stomach flu,” causes acute gastroenteritis, which is a stomach bug with cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and other symptoms, according to Yale Medicine.

Scott Roberts, MD, Yale Medicine infectious disease expert, said because norovirus is not a respiratory disease, it cannot be spread by coughing or sneezing but instead the main way the virus spreads is exposure to contaminated food, water or surfaces. Disinfecting surfaces, heating food to sizzling temperatures, washing clothes in hot water and washing hands with soap and water are preventive strategies to avoid coming down with the illness.

Yale Medicine reports the virus causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines, which leads to acute gastroenteritis that comes on suddenly, with symptoms including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, body aches, chills, fever, headaches and tiredness.

Yale Medicine lists some other preventive measures for people to follow, such as washing all fruits and vegetables carefully under running water, routinely cleaning and sanitizing kitchen utensils, counters and surfaces and washing clothes and linens that may have been exposed with detergent and hot water and drying them at the highest heat setting.