BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Butte County Health officials say that 145 people have presented symptoms related to norovirus since Camp Fire evacuation shelters have opened.
The virus can be spread very quickly, they said. There is no vaccine but it is not fatal.
Staff members at the shelters are also being affected in addition to evacuees.
It spreads through ingesting contaminated food, water, contacting hard surfaces where someone has been sick with vomiting or diarrhea," said Susie Benson, infection preventionist at Enloe Medical Center. "So I have to actually ingest the germ and then it makes me sick."
Officials say that washing hands with soap and water often is the best way to prevent catching the virus.
People who contract the virus are usually sick for one to three days.
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