And in outbreaks in places like care homes and long-term care facilities, the health department must be notified.

"While norovirus may not usually cause deaths or serious complications, in this particular population, the elderly population, they are more at risk at the complications related to dehydration," said state health department  infectious disease specialist Dr. Sarah Park.

Park said while most places on the mainland are currently wrestling with a flu outbreak, that is not the case here in Hawaii right now.

"We are worried about the flu, but we are actually more worried about the norovirus infection,” said Park.

The best advice to avoid getting sick, or spreading the disease is much like the flu.

"Washing hands, and if you are sick, especially if you are sick with this virus stay home," said Park.

So far, health officials said the different outbreaks at the half-dozen facilities across the state, do not appear to  be linked to the same strain of the virus.