Over 100 passengers and crew members have contracted norovirus aboard the Caribbean Princess during a Caribbean cruise, according to reports released on May 7.
Norovirus Outbreak on Caribbean Princess
Norovirus infection cases were reported to the CDC on Thursday, May 7, during a Caribbean cruise spanning April 28 to May 11. According to ABC News, 102 passengers and 13 crew members have been infected, experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.
Vessel Status and Response
The Caribbean Princess, carrying 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew members, is currently sailing through the northwest Atlantic toward Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral, Florida, on May 11.
In response to the outbreak, the crew has intensified cleaning and disinfection procedures, isolated ill individuals, and collected stool samples for laboratory testing. Princess Cruises confirmed a “limited number of mild gastrointestinal illness cases” and stated the vessel will undergo comprehensive disinfection upon arrival at Port Canaveral before its next voyage.
Understanding Norovirus
Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal infections on cruise ships. The CDC emphasized that this outbreak is unrelated to a concurrent hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius, marking the fourth gastrointestinal outbreak recorded on a cruise ship this year.
The virus spreads via the fecal-oral route through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, conditions that are highly conducive to spread in closed environments like cruise ships. The virus is responsible for approximately 685 million cases worldwide annually.