While there are only scattered reports of influenza across the Husker State this winter, plenty of people are getting sick with another bug.

Deb Scholten, director of the Northeast Nebraska Health Department in Wayne, says she’s seeing numerous reports of people coming down with norovirus.

“There isn’t any way you can prevent that,” Scholten says. “It’s highly contagious as most family members know, if you’ve had somebody come down with norovirus. When we talk about norovirus, we’re talking about the stomach flu, which actually isn’t an influenza but we’ve always called it that.”

Scholten says if you catch it, you will feel pretty sick for 24 to 48 hours, likely with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

She says, “The important thing is, even when you are done having the symptoms, you should probably wait at least 24 hours because your body still might be shedding some of that virus and you can still pass it on to other people.”

Scholten says there is no shot or antibiotic to treat norovirus. If you or your kids are sick, she recommends a simple course of action.

“Stay home,” she says. “It’s sometimes a hard call because kids love to wake up in the morning and say they have a tummy ache so they don’t have to go to school, but if there’s norovirus around, you may want to do a little extra listening, especially if they have the symptoms.”

She says the virus can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact.

Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton

Reported cases of influenza across Nebraska have been very low so far this winter.

State health officials have only confirmed about a dozen cases and one death from the flu — an elderly Douglas County woman.

Deb Scholten, head of the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department in Wayne, says there have been sporadic flu reports.

“It’s just been a few situations here and there but it hasn’t been real strong,” Scholten says. “We’re hoping it’s because so many people have responded and gotten flu shots already.”

Scholten says flu cases normally hit their highest levels about now.

“They peak in January or February and, of course, we’ve gotten through January and February is about to start,” Scholten says. “Our weather has been so unusual this year. We don’t know if that’s a factor also. We still urge people, if they haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, it’s in their best interests to go out and get one.”

Scholten says there are also minor outbreaks of pertussis, or whooping cough, especially in the Sioux City area. She recommends people who haven’t had a booster shot for that illness to get one.

Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton