A new norovirus strain, known as GII.17, spiked throughout the Bay Area last winter, according to wastewater monitoring that tracks disease trends. Experts say the strain spreads more efficiently than earlier versions of the so-called winter vomiting disease. Older adults are especially vulnerable, facing complications such as dehydration from gastrointestinal illnesses. As winter returns, the virus is again circulating, with high concentrations reported in the East Bay and on the Peninsula.
"Whether it's a young person who brushes off a fall or someone older who thinks it's just a part of aging, it's important to understand that falls can lead to complications like infections or long-term disability."
