Dr. Miranda Durham, the New Mexico Department of Health's chief medical officer, used a few words to describe the norovirus. The highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, which causes vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps,

The state Department of Health issued an alert last week, warning that norovirus — passed person-to-person by infected people, through contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces — is on the rise in New Mexico and nationwide.