A highly contagious stomach bug, believed to be norovirus, is wreaking havoc in the Northeast region of the United States, with positivity rates for the virus hitting 14% at the beginning of March 2022. Outraged Americans have taken to social media to express concerns over the possible connection between the spread of the virus and unvetted illegal immigrants crossing the borders.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noroviruses have long been a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in the country, causing symptoms such as violent diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. The CDC data indicates that there are approximately 19 to 21 million cases of stomach bugs each year, resulting in 465,000 emergency room visits, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths.

Despite the annual outbreaks of norovirus during the cooler winter months, some social media users are linking the recent surge in cases in the Northeast to the presence of migrants. Speculation on social media has suggested that migrants may be bringing various viruses and diseases into the country, leading to a higher concentration of cases in areas like New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

The controversy surrounding the norovirus outbreak has intensified with positivity rates spiking to 16% in March 2022, a month before Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reportedly began transporting migrants to the Northeast. The cause of the sudden increase in norovirus cases remains a topic of debate, with health officials emphasizing that the virus is typically contracted through contaminated foods, liquids, surfaces, and contact with infected individuals.