Handwashing Is Best Defense Against Spread of Norovirus

Medical experts emphasize the most effective way to protect yourself and others from norovirus is frequent handwashing with soap and water, and you can skip the hand sanitizer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which typically helps prevent many viruses, does not work well against the norovirus. Hand sanitizers’ main ingredient—a form of alcohol — is not capable of degrading norovirus’ tough exterior.

Vigorous handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is more effective at safeguarding against norovirus because the friction helps kill and dislodge more of the viral particles from the hands. Rinsing hands well with water helps send the particles down the drain.

Norovirus, which is spreading at elevated rates in 2025, is a common and highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. The CDC estimates there are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks every year in the United States with most of them occurring between November and April.

“Handwashing, using soap and warm water, is an easy and effective way to reduce the spread of disease-causing organisms like norovirus,” said medical microbiologist Michael P. McCann, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Saint Joseph’s University. “Given the ease with which some of these organisms can be spread on solid surfaces, in food, and by other means, handwashing is something that everyone should do after activities like using the restroom.”

As CMM previously reported, a newer strain’s emergence, found spreading throughout the U.S. and on cruise ships, is helping to drive higher norovirus levels than last year. Quick action to clean and disinfect potentially contaminated surfaces or objects also is critical to help prevent the spread of norovirus. The extremely contagious virus also requires vigilance and extra cleaning.