Cases of influenza may be down this winter, however, a variety of other ailments are causing concern and consternation among health officials and area schools.

Increases of a stomach and intestinal illness that Putnam health officials say appears to be “norovirus-like” are being reported countywide

Health Director Rebecca Wittenberg said people can become infected with the bug by having direct contact with an ill person, by eating or drinking contaminated food or liquids or by touching contaminated surfaces and then placing one’s hands to the mouth.

Wittenberg has suggested that “washing hands thoroughly and often goes a big way towards avoiding the illness. If you must clean up vomit or diarrhea use disposable gloves.”

Putnam Valley, among other locales, has been affected.

And Brian J. of Mahopac wound up in the hospital with the virus: “I can never remember being so sick. I couldn’t walk and wanted to die.”

Officials said the good news is that the bug lasts for only 24 hours. Kimberly E. of Patterson was forced to take her 5-year-old son to the emergency room after he become ill: “While Liam’s vomiting and diarrhea subsided in several hours, the poor kid wasn’t himself for nearly three days.”

A respiratory infection is also making the rounds throughout the county with coughing, sneezing and a feeling of tiredness all reported symptoms.

A physician in Brewster said his office treated “dozens of patients” in recent days adding that the illness “lingers despite antibiotics.”

An increase in whooping cough is also being reported.

Wittenberg said nine cases have been confirmed among school children since last September, a 300 percent increase from September 2010 to February 2011.

Wittenberg does not want the public to panic because while Putnam recorded its nine cases, Suffolk County on eastern Long Island has reported 250 cases since last June.

Carmel Superintendent of Schools James Ryan has sent a letter home cautioning parents to “be on the lookout for the highly contagious disease” and reminding them to “make sure your children have been vaccinated.”

Carmel, Brewster and Mahopac schools have all reported cases of whooping cough in recent weeks.

Whooping cough is also known as pertussis. The illness, which begins with cold symptoms and a nasty dry cough, is spread through the air by coughing.