Norovirus Outbreak Affects 200 Passengers on U.S. Cruise Ships in April: CDC Report

Roughly 200 passengers aboard two U.S.-based cruise ships experienced symptoms of norovirus in April, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak affected a total of 174 individuals – or 3.7% of the combined passenger population on both vessels – with Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess experiencing the greater number of illnesses during its ongoing cruise that started on April 5. CDC reported that out of the ship’s 2,532 passengers and crew members, a total of 94 (or approximately 3.7%) fell ill with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting; this figure includes 60 Americans, four Canadians, two Britons, one New Zealander, three Australians, one Dutch national, six Greeks, seven Filipinos, eight Indians, five Italians, nine Peruvians, ten Romanians, twelve Spaniards, fifteen Swedes and twenty-six unknown passengers. A further 20 members of crew have reported feeling sick too on Sapphire Princess that is currently sailing a round trip from Los Angeles to Hawaii.
Meanwhile, during an April cruise by Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas vessel that ended two weeks later on the same day (April 22), illnesses affected 67 passengers out of its total passenger population of 1,935 (representing around three-and-a half percent); both aforementioned cruise lines did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The CDC further added that norovirus outbreaks were common in cruises as they provide an environment with high volumes of people and new environments that create the risk of illnesses from contaminated food, water or person-to-person contact; hence passengers who feel sick before embarking on a voyage are advised to report their condition to the cruise line. While traveling by sea, it is also imperative for individuals experiencing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting to remain in isolation, practice proper hand hygiene frequently as well as get enough sleep and drink plenty of water.