The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced Wednesday that in the last three months there have been 12 norovirus outbreaks in Montana that have sickened more than 250 people.

This is three times the number of outbreaks usually reported during this time of year.

Outbreaks have occurred in the counties of Cascade, Flathead, Rosebud, Sanders, Valley and Yellowstone.

“Most of these outbreaks occurred in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, putting our elderly population at risk,” said Dana Fejes of the DPHHS Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section. “Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water often can protect you and others from norovirus.”