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A new strain of the norovirus is spreading in Northeast Wisconsin since it hit the U.S. from Australia.

A spokeswoman for Prevea Health tells us they're seeing about two cases of norovirus a day at their urgent care clinic in Ashwaubenon. Doctors say babies and the elderly are the highest at risk.

Fears plague Darcie Secor as she picks up her kids from daycare.

"I'm a little bit concerned about it just cause littler kids don't clean their hands as well as older kids. My oldest I'm not so much concerned about, but the little ones I am for sure," Secor said.

Norovirus is sending a lot of people to the doctor in Northeast Wisconsin. It hit a first-grade class at a Green Bay school two weeks ago. Kathy Leidig director of health services says 12 students were absent.

"Our facilities department went over immediately, cleaned the room from top to bottom with an anti-viral and anti-bacterial cleaning solution," Leidig said.

Doctor Todd Reynolds hasn't seen many cases, but tells us it's highly contagious.

"This virus hits a person really quickly. They go from feeling fine to within a few hours vomiting and diarrhea and feeling miserable," Reynolds said.

Reynolds says the virus lasts about three days.

"If you want to avoid norovirus what you have to do is wash your hands a lot," Reynolds said.

Secor drives her kids home, hoping the stomach bug won't follow.

"It just seems like they never go away," Secor said. "You're constantly at the doctor's office all the time for them, so hopefully they get better with the cold weather I'm hoping."

 

There's no vaccine or medicine that will cure the norovirus. If you get sick, doctors suggest to just rest and drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.