The fires themselves are being gradually contained and there is heavy rain forecast for later this week but the shelters just got really nasty really fast - from the Butte County, CA website:
Norovirus/Gastrointestinal Illness in Butte County Shelters
The Butte County Public Health Department has been using public health measures to stop a gastrointestinal illness (GI) outbreak in all monitored shelters. Since the shelters opened to house Camp Fire evacuees, 145 people have been sick with vomiting and/or diarrhea. As of Wednesday evening, there were 41 people experiencing symptoms at the following shelters:
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- Neighborhood Church: 179 total evacuees at the shelter, 21 currently experiencing illness
- Oroville Nazarene Church: 352 total evacuees at the shelter, 10 currently experiencing illness
- Butte County Fairgrounds: 142 total evacuees at the shelter, 9 currently experiencing illness
- East Avenue Church: 200 total evacuees at the shelter, 1 currently experiencing illness
The number of sick people is increasing every day. Twenty-five people have been to the hospital for medical support. Staff serving the shelters have also been sick. The outbreak has been identified and confirmed by the Butte County public health laboratory to be the Norovirus which is highly contagious. Norovirus spreads through touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, close contact with someone who is infected, or eating contaminated food or drink.
You do not want to catch this disease - it passes within 48 hours or so but you are squirting from both ends and feeling pummeled all during that time. It hurts and in the confines of a contained population, it can spread like wildfire. Outbreaks are common on cruise ships.
Needless to say, prayers are going out to these poor people.
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