MILWAUKEE – Health experts say a new strain of the norovirus has cases surging across Wisconsin. Norovirus is very contagious and presents symptoms you often associate with the stomach bug. 

Common symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. 

Over the last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded ten outbreaks in Wisconsin. Symptoms usually start one or two days after exposure.

How it spreads

According to the CDC, you can get norovirus by: 

• Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth.

Additionally, you can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better, the CDC says. 

How can I protect myself?

Frequent handwashing, handling and preparing food safely, and scrubbing surfaces with household disinfectants can help. The CDC says hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus.

Additionally, health experts advise that you wash laundry in hot water. 

Norovirus information

How it spreads

Signs and Symptoms

How to Prevent Norovirus

When and how outbreaks happen

LOS ANGELES — The massive wildfires that started in the Highlands of the Pacific Palisades may seem far from Wisconsin. However, some people from Southeast Wisconsin are facing the horrific sights of the deadly fires.

“Just picture palm trees on fire, ash blowing all around, and orange smoke everywhere,” said Milwaukee native Brooke Bayer.

Bayer moved to the Los Angeles area to work for Warner Bros. She said the typically sunny skies outside the studio are now filled with black and orange clouds.

“When you’re not here and you’re not in it, you’re like, ‘Oh, wow, that sucks, there’s a fire. You know, that’s a bummer.’ But when you’re actually here, you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s my friend’s house on fire. It really just hits home,’” Bayer explained.

Watch: Wisconsin natives closely monitor devastating wildfires in California

Wisconsin natives closely monitor devastating wildfires in California

She has a bag packed just in case the flames come too close for comfort.

“It’s just so sad. I mean, there are no other words than heartbreaking and devastating seeing your friends have to evacuate,” Bayer said.

Brooke Bayer

Another Wisconsinite, Josh Silberman, is prepared to evacuate as soon as the wildfires get too close to his home.

“It all just happened so fast, and it’s been absolutely insane,” he explained.

The Mequon native is closely monitoring the fires and packing his belongings.

“There are fire trucks everywhere, the highways are jammed with first responders going back and forth on the 405. There are helicopters over my house consistently. There are planes flying everywhere. It’s just crazy,” Silberman explained.

Click here to read about another Wisconsin native who had to evacuate the area.

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ONTONAGON COUNTY, MI – A 56-year-old Wisconsin man is dead after a snowmobile crash on Tuesday in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, WLUC reports.

An Ontonagon County Sheriff’s deputy responded around 12:24 p.m. Tuesday to the crash on Trail No. 1 in Bergland, the report said. The man was found dead at the scene.

The crash is under investigation, the report said. Neither the victim’s identity nor the cause of the crash have been released.

Other agencies assisted at the scene, the report said.