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The Butte County Public Health Department has used public health measures to stop an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in all shelters monitored. Since the shelters were opened to accommodate evacuees from the camp, 145 people have had vomiting and / or diarrhea. On Wednesday evening, 41 people had symptoms in the following centers:• Neighborhood church: 179 evacuees in total in the shelter, 21 currently ill
• Oroville Nazarene Church: 352 evacuees in total in the shelter, 10 of whom are currently ill
• Butte County Fairground: 142 evacuees in total in the shelter, 9 of whom are currently ill
• East Avenue Church: total of 200 evacuees at the shelter, 1 currently ill
The number of sick people is increasing every day. Twenty-five people went to the hospital for medical support. The staff serving the shelters was also sick. The outbreak was identified and confirmed by the Butte County Public Health Laboratory as the highly contagious norovirus. Norovirus is spread through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus, close contact with an infected person or through the consumption of contaminated food or drink.
Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting in the United States. It spreads quickly in schools, shelters and places frequented by many people. There is no medicine to get rid of the virus and there is no vaccine. Most people are sick for 1 to 3 days and improve without medical assistance. Seniors, young children, and people with chronic illnesses may suffer from more serious illnesses, become dehydrated, and require medical support. Norovirus particles are extremely small and billions of them are found in the stool and vomit of infected people. The vomit or diarrhea may contain norovirus and should be treated as if it were the case. People can transfer Norovirus to other people for at least 48 hours after the disappearance of their symptoms.
The Butte County Public Health Department is working with the Red Cross, as well as federal and regional partners to prevent and reduce the spread of norovirus in camp firefighting shelters, and is taking the following actions :
• Coordination of additional medical staff to support affected shelters
• Provided information on the disease and pre-planning actions to shelter staff (medical and Red Cross)
• Creation of separate shelters for sick evacuees, including separate areas for handwashing and bathing, and limited access for comings and goings
• Ensured that shelters are cleaned with effective supplies against Norovirus and additional cleaning provided
• Provided medical personnel with personal protective equipment to minimize exposure
• Provided additional bathrooms and handwash stations, including bathrooms and hand-washing stations for the sick
• Active surveillance of the signs and symptoms of norovirus disease in shelter residents and coordination of laboratory tests to confirm the cause of the outbreak as a norovirus.
Include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in the stomach. The symptoms last from 1 to 3 days. However, after the disappearance of symptoms, people remain very contagious, especially within 48 hours of their disappearance. There is no treatment for norovirus. The most important step you can take to prevent the spread of norovirus is to stay home if you are sick for another 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared up and everyone wash their hands regularly.
Butte County Public Health Officer Andy Miller said, "This virus can spread quickly in the community. Noroviruses began to spread in our community even before the fires. Please follow these recommended steps to avoid further spread:
• Stay at home if there are signs of illness such as stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea.
• Stay home for an additional 48 hours after symptoms disappear. Even if you feel better, you carry the virus and can infect other people.
• Wash your hands frequently throughout the day with soap and water.
• Clean contaminated surfaces regularly with a suitable disinfectant, such as bleach.
• Do not prepare food or drink for others if you are sick.
• Symptom and treatment questions should be directed to your primary care provider or clinic.
• If your child is sick, inform the school and tell them to know your child's symptoms.
The spread of norovirus can be prevented by practicing good hand hygiene. Important strategies include washing hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating, preparing or handling food.
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