A nasty stomach virus has taken Bel Air by storm and the Harford Health Department is on the hunt for a reason why this bug is infecting so many so quickly.

The Harford Health Department believes that this contagious stomach flu is gastroenteritis, an intestinal infection that is transferred by any contact with an infected person or consuming contaminated food/liquid. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea and a high fever. The symptoms usually begin to occur 1-3 days after infection.

Harford Health believes the outbreak is related to bacteria being spread through local Bel Air Restaurants. The majority of the infected had gone out to eat 1-3 days before symptoms began to occur. The department is still searching for a specific restaurant that could be partially responsible for the rapid spread of the virus.

Gastroenteritis is believed to be a new strain of the average stomach flu according to the Center for Disease Control. The virus is also known as the “Sydney strain” because it originated in Australia before spreading around the world, making it all the way to Bel Air, Maryland. The flu is a norovirus that inflames the stomach and intestines, causing the pain and vomiting.

“I had the stomach flu twice and it was absolutely awful. I would not wish it on anyone. It is a horrible illness,” said Junior and Gastroenteritis victim, Kayla Pron.

The Harford Health Department reports that the best way to prevent infection is washing your hands often with soap and water before eating or preparing food, washing your fruit and vegetables, cleaning infected surfaces with bleach, and washing any exposed linens.