Norovirus Risk Snapshot

Norovirus infects an estimated 19-21 million people in the US each year and causes 570-800 deaths annually, per CDC — the highest annual case volume of any virus in this comparison, though also among the least severe on a per-case basis.

Written and researched by Andy Wilcox · Last reviewed: July 2026

The Numbers

Norovirus risk snapshot chart — severe outcome, hospitalization, and case fatality rates
  • Annual cases (US): 19,000,000-21,000,000
  • Annual deaths (US): 570-800

Source: CDC (Emerging Infectious Diseases) — Norovirus Disease in the United States · Data as of 2013-08-08

Case counts and mortality data on this page are sourced directly from CDC as cited above. This is statistical and educational information, not medical advice or a risk assessment for any individual. Check the "data as of" date and linked source for the latest numbers.

Compare norovirus against 14 other viruses on the Virus Risk Perspective tool →

Andy Wilcox, independent researcher and founder of Virus Questions

Andy Wilcox

Written and researched by Andy Wilcox, an independent researcher not a physician — his work is the product of disciplined primary-source research drawing on 30+ years as a consultant, operating executive, and investor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Last reviewed: July 2026