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A highly contagious norovirus epidemic was reported Wednesday in a shelter center housing more than 150 evacuees from the deadly fire camp in California.
A lab test confirmed that about 15 to 20 people staying at the Chico Ward Church, located in Butte County, California, were infected with the virus, which can cause vomiting and Serious diarrhea, said a public health department official at The Sacramento Bee.
Lisa Almaguer, spokesperson for the Butte County Public Health Department, told evacuees by the fire of the fire that was at the Nazarene Church's shelter. Oroville, home to about 166 people, also show symptoms of norovirus.
About 170 people are staying at the Chico shelter, according to Diane Shoen of the American Red Cross. However, it would not confirm information regarding the outbreak of norovirus at the Bee, citing laws on the confidentiality of health data.
Almaguer said precautions were taken on paper to prevent the spread of the virus, including quarantining patients.
"They want us to continue washing our hands and not shaking hands and using Purell (disinfectant) before dinner," Magalia evacuee Rich Montgomery told reporters.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "norovirus infection most commonly occurs in enclosed and overcrowded environments."
The death toll at Camp Fire, Calif., Rose to 56 Wednesday night after authorities said they had discovered eight more groups of human remains in the deadliest fire of the day. State.
Butte County Sheriff, Kory Honea, said at a press conference that of the 56 remains found, officials have "identified the moment" 46 but are waiting for confirmation of the DNA.
Fires in northern California are still considered an "emergency situation," the sheriff said. Nearly 5,500 people work to fight the fire.
Cal Fire officials said the fire had now burned 138,000 hectares and that 35% of it was under control. It destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and displaced 52,000 people.
Nicole Darrah from Fox News contributed to this report.
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