Norovirus sickens 129 at 3 McHenry County nursing homes

Health officials in McHenry County say norovirus has sickened at least 129 people at three nursing homes.

Norovirus causes fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Officials in McHenry County say the viral infection has landed at least six nursing home residents in the hospital.

Health department spokeswoman Debra Quackenbush isn't releasing the names of the facilities where the virus has been found. But she says the administrators at those homes are cooperating and working to stop the virus from spreading.

Mary Lou Ludicky is a nurse who works as a communicable disease coordinator in McHenry County. She says norovirus can be hard to stop because it can live for days on tables, door knobs and other surfaces.