Hundreds Affected by Norovirus Outbreaks on Cruise Ships in December, Says CDC
This month, among three ships dealing with outbreaks, a vessel from Princess Cruises reported the highest number of affected passengers.
Norovirus outbreaks have affected three cruise ships this month, with one ship noting over 100 ill passengers, as per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Ruby Princess ship set sail from San Francisco on December 2 for a round trip to Hawaii and returned on December 18. In response to the outbreak, the cruise line amplified disinfection efforts and isolated sick passengers and crew members.
Additionally, Princess Cruises collected stool samples for analysis and consulted with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program regarding cleaning procedures, as stated by the agency.
The other two vessels experiencing norovirus outbreaks this month were Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, both operated by Holland America cruise line.
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In response to the outbreak, Holland America isolated affected passengers and crew while enhancing cleaning and disinfection measures. The cruise line also collected stool samples from those exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms for testing, as reported by the CDC.
The Epoch Times attempted to contact both Princess Cruises and Holland America for comments but did not receive a response before publication.
This virus results in 19 to 21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea annually in the U.S., leading to approximately 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths, especially among adults aged 65 and over, as per NFID.
Furthermore, norovirus is associated with over 495,000 emergency room visits, mainly affecting young children. The NFID explains that individuals can contract the virus multiple times throughout their lives, with symptoms appearing rapidly.
Norovirus outbreaks frequently occur in healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, restaurants, child care centers, schools, and on cruise ships. Along with vomiting and diarrhea, those infected may also experience symptoms such as stomach cramps and nausea.
“Individuals infected with norovirus can spread it from the onset of symptoms to at least three days post-recovery. Some may remain contagious for as long as two weeks after recovering,” states NFID.
To prevent norovirus infection, the NFID recommends several measures, including thorough handwashing before food handling, washing fruits and vegetables before eating, and cooking shellfish thoroughly before consumption.
Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
