New Strain of Norovirus - the Winter Vomiting Bug - On the Rise

A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.

Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Fortunately the bug has not touched Stoneham yet this winter, according to Stoneham Public Health Nurse Peg Drummey. "Right now Stoneham is healthy, no cases have been reported," Drummey told Stoneham Patch.  Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. A new norovirus strain, GII.4 …

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You Ask, Patch Answers

Who's Running for Stoneham Town Office?

Nominations papers are currently available for the town election on Tuesday, April 2. So who has pulled papers so far to run?

Stoneham will hold its town election on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with the election finalized at town meeting on May 6, and nomination papers are available for interested registered voters to run for any of the positions currently up in Stoneham town government. Nomination papers must be taken out by Friday, Feb. 8 and returned no later than Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. with at least 50 registered voter signatures.   So who's has pulled papers so far to run for office? Stoneham Town Clerk Maria Sagarino provided Stoneham Patch with the names of residents who have taken our nomination papers to run. So far, two Board of Selectment incumbents have pulled papers, along with two challengers. Below is the election landscape so far. If you're …

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Stoneham BOH: West Nile Spraying 'Not A Viable Option' For Town

The Stoneham Board of Health has not considered spraying to be the best option at this point in the season, according to

After the town recently learned that a Stoneham man had been diagnosed with West Nile Virus, the Board of Health has decided to forego the spraying option, according to Stoneham Health Agent John Fralick. "At this time, the Board of Health has not considered spraying to be a viable option where it is so late in the warm season (2-3 weeks) and mosquito activity is gradually slowing down," Fralick said. On Sept. 20, a 63-year-old Stoneham man was confirmed to have West Nile Virus; however, "the man has reportedly recovered fully," Fralick said. A reverse 911 call was initiated on Sept. 25 to notify the public about the human case of West Nile Virus in Stoneham, he said. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's risk assessment level …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Stoneham Won't Spray to Ward Off West Nile Virus, EEE

Scope out the Five Things column for Aug. 23.

1. In case you missed it: The Stoneham Board of Health is taking steps to try and reduce the risk of West Nile Virus or eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) from cropping up in town, especially after the viruses were discovered in nearby communities. However, they won't be spraying to ward off the viruses.  2. Grab some shades: It's expected to be mostly sunny, with temperatures in the high 80s and winds in the 3 to 6 miles per hour range Thursday, according to the forecast for Stoneham on the National Weather Service website. In the evening, it will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of about 64, according to the forecast. 3. Barn sale: The Stoneham Senior Center is slated to host their Barn Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. …

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