More than 100 individuals aboard a cruise ship have fallen ill in an outbreak of norovirus.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 102 passengers and 13 crew members on the Caribbean Princess have exhibited symptoms of the contagious vomiting bug. Those affected have been segregated from the rest of the passengers.
Operated by Princess Cruises, the cruise ship departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28 and is expected to return on Monday. Currently situated off the north coast of the Dominican Republic, the vessel is planned to make a stop on Sunday in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, as shown by CruiseMapper.
The norovirus outbreak, known for being highly contagious but typically non-life-threatening, coincides with a separate hantavirus outbreak on another cruise ship – a less easily transmittable virus that can be fatal.
“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage,” Princess Cruises stated on Friday regarding the mild gastrointestinal illness reported by a limited number of individuals during the Caribbean Princess voyage starting on April 28.
Princess Cruises has affirmed that the Caribbean Princess will undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection before its subsequent journey, without specifying the cause of the outbreak.
As per the CDC, there are a total of 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew members on board the ship.
Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, leads to vomiting and diarrhea, according to the NHS. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, infected food or water, and food prepared by carriers of the virus. Although symptoms are uncomfortable, they typically improve within about two days.
Meanwhile, over 140 passengers and crew members are still on a hantavirus-affected cruise ship en route to the Canary Islands.
The MV Hondius, managed by Oceanwide Expeditions, is anticipated to arrive at the Spanish island of Tenerife early on Sunday. Three passengers have reportedly died, and multiple others have been affected.
Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through inhaling particles tainted by rodent droppings and is not readily transmissible between people. The World Health Organization has indicated that the risk to the general public remains low.
