Norovirus Outbreak Aboard Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship Sickens Over 110 People
Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times
More than 110 people on the Caribbean Princess cruise ship have been affected by a norovirus outbreak, a common cause of gastrointestinal illnesses, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28 and is currently sailing in the North Atlantic Ocean, according to CruiseMapper.
The Caribbean Princess is carrying 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew members and is expected to arrive in Port Canaveral, Florida, on May 11 after a voyage from April 28 to May 11.
The norovirus outbreak was first reported on May 7, affecting 102 passengers and 13 crew members with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, as stated by the CDC in an update.
Princess Cruises and the crew have implemented increased cleaning and disinfection measures in response to the outbreak, including collecting stool samples for testing and isolating affected individuals. The crew has also sought guidance from the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program for sanitation procedures and reporting of sick cases.
“VSP is conducting a field response for an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to assist the ship in controlling the outbreak,” the CDC added.
The Epoch Times reached out to Princess Cruises for a comment but had not received a response by publication time.
Norovirus, the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., is responsible for 58% of such infections annually, according to the CDC.
Aside from vomiting and diarrhea, common symptoms include muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Previous norovirus outbreaks have been reported on cruise ships, highlighting the importance of prompt reporting to health authorities for containment measures.
According to the CDC, norovirus causes an average of 900 deaths, 109,000 hospitalizations, and millions of illnesses yearly in the U.S., with older adults being the most vulnerable group.