A highly contagious stomach bug is making the rounds in the U.S., with outbreaks reported in 14 states, including Alabama.

This season, 225 outbreaks of norovirus have been reported between Aug. 1 and Jan. 18 in 18 states that provide data on the virus to the Centers for Disease Control. That’s up roughly 30% over last year when 172 outbreaks were reported during the same time period.

One outbreak has been reported in Alabama.

Often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu,” the highly contagious virus is spread through contaminated foods, liquids, surfaces, or people with the virus. Anyone is susceptible to norovirus but it can be particularly dangerous for the very young or old. It can also be found in vomit or feces of infected people, making hand washing even more important, the CDC said.

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“Norovirus can be found in your vomit or feces even before you start feeling sick,” the CDC says. “The virus can also stay in your feces for two weeks or more after you feel better.”

Infections typically occur between November and April. Norovirus infections kill about 900 people in the U.S. each year, mostly those 65 and older. It’s also responsible for sending about 465,000 people to the emergency room each, mostly involving young children.

The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, as well as fever, headache, and body aches. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and most people get better within three days.

Prevention includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers, eating, preparing, or handling food or giving yourself or someone else medicine.