The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Two physicians said holiday gatherings may be a significant factor behind the spread of a stomach virus across central Ohio.

Area health officials have reported an increase of viral gastroenteritis, which is characterized by recurring vomiting and diarrhea.

"It tends to happen this time of year because it's the time of year when people are eating and partying and maybe not washing their hands as much as they should," said Dr. Mimi Ghosh of the Ohio State University Medical Center.

"Windows aren't open, so the air isn't coming in and people are coming from different (parts of the) country. ... You're shaking everybody's hands and hugging," said Dr. Eric Boose, of Riverside Family Practice Center in Norwalk, Ohio.

The bug's symptoms are the same as those of the Norwalk virus, which took its name from that community's 1968 outbreak, and recently infected hundreds of cruise-ship passengers.

Doctors said there's no reason for panic about the virus.

"Right now, we're not sounding the alarms that Norwalk has become a big issue," Dr. Ghosh said.

"It could still happen in the next few weeks" as more cases come in and are analyzed.

"It's nothing worse than any other virus," Dr. Boose said. "It just takes 24 hours to run its course."