Norovirus Outbreak in Northeast Region of US Reaches 13.9% Positive Test Rate, Higher Than National Average

Irving, New Jersey United States of America
The norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that has been spreading across the Northeast region of the United States in recent weeks.
The three-week average positive test rate for norovirus in this region reached 13.9% as of February 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is significantly higher than other regions in the country, which have seen positivity rates ranging from 9.5% to about 12%. The norovirus causes an estimated 19-21 million illnesses each year in the US, most commonly from November to April.
Norovirus Outbreak in Northeast Region of US Reaches 13.9% Positive Test Rate, Higher Than National Average

The norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that has been spreading across the Northeast region of the United States in recent weeks. The three-week average positive test rate for norovirus in this region reached 13.9% as of February 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is significantly higher than other regions in the country, which have seen positivity rates ranging from 9.5% to about 12%. The norovirus causes an estimated 19-21 million illnesses each year in the US, most commonly from November to April.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if there are any specific measures being taken to control the spread of norovirus in this region.
  • The article does not provide information on how severe the symptoms of norovirus are or if there have been any deaths related to it.

Sources

71%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

‘Norovirus’ slams Northeast US hardest in recent weeks: CDC

The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ Lauren Irwin Friday, 23 February 2024 03:07
  • Unique Points
    • The norovirus is spreading across the Northeast region of the United States, with a three-week average positive test rate reaching 13.9% in recent weeks.
    • Norovirus causes an estimated 19-21 million illnesses each year in the US, most commonly from November to April.
  • Accuracy
    • Other regions are also seeing positive tests for norovirus, including the South (9.5%), Midwest (hovering around 10%) and West (about 12%).
    • Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States.
    • People of all ages can become infected with norovirus, which spreads easily and quickly.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive because it does not provide any evidence or sources for the claim that norovirus is spreading across the Northeast region of the United States. The CDC data are quoted without linking to them or showing how they were obtained. The author also omits important information about when and where outbreaks occur, and what symptoms and complications may arise from infection. This creates a false impression that norovirus is a widespread and imminent threat in the region, which could cause fear or panic among readers.
    • The article claims that 'the three-week average positive tests for norovirus in the region reached 13.9 percent in recent weeks'. However, it does not provide any link to the CDC data source or show how they were calculated. This is a lie by omission and leaves readers without verification of the claim.
    • The article states that 'the illness spreads very easily and quickly' but does not explain what factors make it easy to transmit or who are most vulnerable to infection. This is vague and misleading.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Secondly, there are two instances where dichotomous depictions are used: 'The northeast region is experiencing a high number of positive norovirus cases' while other regions are seeing positive tests in recent weeks too'. This creates an either/or situation which oversimplifies the issue and ignores any nuances. Thirdly, there is inflammatory rhetoric used when stating that people may develop protection against specific types of norovirus but it's not known how long a protection may last.
    • The northeast region is experiencing a high number of positive norovirus cases
    • people may develop protection against specific types of norovirus but it's not known how long a protection may last
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
    Lauren Irwin has a conflict of interest on the topic of Norovirus as she is reporting for The Hill which is owned by News Corporation. News Corporation also owns several food and beverage companies that could potentially have an interest in how Norovirus affects the industry.
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Lauren Irwin has a conflict of interest on the topic of Norovirus as she is reporting for The Hill which is owned by News Corporation. This company also owns several pharmaceutical companies that may have an interest in the development and treatment of foodborne illnesses such as Norovirus.

      72%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      The Providence Journal

      The Providence Journal Thursday, 22 February 2024 00:00
      • Unique Points
        • The article is only available to subscribers.
        • , The subscription costs $1 for 6 months.
        • The subscription supports investigative reporting, expert coverage of high school sports teams, the best tips on places to eat and things to do, a daily newsletter with top news to know and mobile apps including immersive storytelling.
      • Accuracy
        • There are many different types of norovirus, but becoming infected with one type may not protect against other types. Protection against specific types of norovirus is unknown how long it lasts.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (0%)
        The article is promoting a subscription service and asking for payment to access the content. This can be seen as an example of monetary bias.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        81%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Doctor's advice on how to avoid catching the norovirus, why it's spreading

        ABC News NYC Bureau Thursday, 22 February 2024 16:09
        • Unique Points
          • The norovirus is spreading in the Northeast region with the highest positivity rate.
          • Irving Primary School in Highland Park, New Jersey closed due to a gastro-intestinal illness outbreak and underwent a deep cleaning before reopening for class.
          • Dr. John Whyte of WedMD explains that stomach bugs are making the rounds in some parts of our area.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (50%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author of the article is not disclosed and therefore cannot be held accountable for any misinformation presented. Secondly, there are multiple instances where information provided by experts or sources are quoted without being properly cited or linked to their original source which makes it difficult to verify their accuracy. Thirdly, some statements made in the article seem biased towards certain groups of people and may not be representative of the entire population.
          • Information provided by experts are quoted without being properly cited or linked to their original source
          • Statements made in the article seem biased towards certain groups of people
          • The author is not disclosed
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by citing Dr. John Whyte of WedMD as a source for information on norovirus without providing any context or qualifications about his expertise in this area.
          • > The spread is so wide-ranging in some parts of our area that it's putting some people's daily lives on hold.
        • Bias (85%)
          The article contains a statement that implies the norovirus is spreading more in certain parts of the area. This could be seen as an example of ideological bias because it suggests that some people are experiencing worse symptoms or having a harder time recovering from illness than others.
          • > The spread is so wide-ranging in some parts of our area that it's putting some people's daily lives on hold. <
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          68%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          How is the rise of norovirus in the northeast affecting the Philadelphia region?

          CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Stephanie Stahl Friday, 23 February 2024 11:59
          • Unique Points
            • The CDC said highly contagious stomach bugs are spreading across the country with the northeast having the highest number of cases right now
            • South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania are seeing outbreaks of norovirus, the gastrointestinal bug causes uncomfortable symptoms and can be dangerous for some
            • ``It's a very contagious virus, very contagious,' said Dr. Dodi Iannaco, who is with Virtua Health in South Jersey
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (50%)
            The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that norovirus is a 'very contagious virus' and can spread easily through contact with an infected person or ingesting contaminated food or water. This statement exaggerates the severity of the situation and creates fear in readers without providing any context on how dangerous it actually is. Secondly, the author uses selective reporting by focusing only on outbreaks in South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania while ignoring other regions that may also be experiencing similar issues. Thirdly, there are no peer-reviewed studies cited to support the claims made about norovirus being a problem on cruise ships or spreading through airborne transmission.
            • The author uses selective reporting by focusing only on outbreaks in South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania while ignoring other regions that may also be experiencing similar issues.
            • The author uses sensationalism by stating that norovirus is a 'very contagious virus' and can spread easily through contact with an infected person or ingesting contaminated food or water. This statement exaggerates the severity of the situation and creates fear in readers without providing any context on how dangerous it actually is.
          • Fallacies (70%)
            The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the CDC as a source for information about norovirus cases in the northeast region. However, this does not necessarily mean that their claims are accurate or reliable.
            • > It's estimated to infect some 20 million Americans every year
            • According to the CDC, the northeast region of the U.S. currently has the highest positivity rate for norovirus.
          • Bias (85%)
            The article contains several examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who contract norovirus by describing it as a 'stomach bug' and saying that symptoms are uncomfortable and can be dangerous for some. This implies that the virus is something to be feared rather than understood, which could lead readers to believe that they should avoid getting sick with it at all costs.
            • Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
              • The stomach bug causes uncomfortable symptoms
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                Stephanie Stahl has a conflict of interest on the topic of norovirus in the northeast region as she is reporting for Virtua Health which may have financial ties to companies or industries affected by this issue.
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of norovirus in the northeast region as she is reporting for Virtua Health which may have an interest in promoting their own services related to gastrointestinal illness.