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Because things weren't dicey enough at the RNC, now there's norovirus

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 18: Delegates crowd the convention floor on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 18: Delegates crowd the convention floor on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicks off on July 18. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
By Katie Link
July 19, 2016

It thrives on cruise ships, in schools, at Chipotle and, apparently this year, it also thrives at the Republican National Convention. We're talking about norovirus.

At least a dozen GOP staffers from California are spending a lot of time in the bathroom this week and, while health officials are still testing samples to confirm, a county health commissioner told media, "It looks like norovirus."

The highly contagious virus resembles your worst nightmare of a stomach bug and is spread through contact with infected people or surfaces or through contaminated food or water.

The virus usually isn't too dangerous, though The Los Angeles Times reports some sick staff members were hospitalized to receive fluids.

Officials say they're doing everything they can to contain it — the staffers with symptoms have been quarantined and "towers of hand sanitizer" have been deployed.

As for the rest of the California crew in Cleveland this week? They've been told to avoid handshaking and double dipping.

So far, staffers and delegates from other states have remained norovirus-free.

This video includes clips from C-SPAN and images from Getty Images. Music provided courtesy of APM Music. 

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Katie Link

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