Is Medford's suspected norovirus outbreak a sign of things to come? Here's what the experts say.

"It's highly contagious, it can last on surfaces for up to two weeks, and it's very difficult to kill."

"I don't think it's ever a good idea to admire a pathogen, but this one is pretty unbelievable,"

"In some ways, norovirus is the perfect pathogen,"

"It's true that sometimes in a family, you have the index case - you know, somebody brings it in - and then before you know it, everybody in the home is having the same symptoms,"

Norovirus, called the winter vomiting disease, causes vomiting and diarrhea and spreads rapidly through schools, households, and cruise ships. Only 10 to 100 viral particles can cause infection, a tiny fraction of what is present in sick persons' bodily fluids. The virus can persist on high-touch surfaces for up to two weeks and resists many cleaning methods. Close indoor gatherings and holiday events during November–April increase transmission risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records roughly 2,500 norovirus outbreaks annually in the United States. Local outbreaks can force temporary closures of schools and other institutions.

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