DOH Issues Norovirus Health Advisory to Nursing Homes and Hospitals
(Dec. 23, 2025) The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Health Advisory today, Dec. 23rd, to provide guidance from DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the prevention and control of health care facility associated norovirus infections. Norovirus activity varies seasonally; outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis occur throughout the year, but are most common from November to April. The guidance is directed to nursing homes; however, other members may find the information useful.
In addition to infection prevention and control guidance, the advisory reminds providers of reporting requirements:
- NYS hospitals and nursing homes regulated under Article 28 of the Public Health Law are required to report any outbreak or significant increase in health care facility associated infections (including norovirus) above baseline and any single case of health care facility associated reportable communicable disease to the Department’s Bureau of Healthcare Associated Infections.
- Reporting should be done electronically through the Nosocomial Outbreak Reporting Application (NORA) on the Health Commerce System (HCS). In instances when electronic reporting is not possible or would be delayed, report by fax using Form DOH 4018 and fax to 518-402-5165 or contact the Department’s Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control Program Central Office at 518-474-1142, or by phone to the Regional Epidemiologist in the facility's region.
- For additional information on reporting by Article 28-regulated facilities, click here.
Please contact DOH at icp@health.ny.gov for questions or comments about this advisory.
Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, or Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org. Both can be reached at 518-867-8383.