Over 100 Fall Sick In Norovirus Outbreak On Caribbean Cruise Ship
More than 100 passengers and crew members aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship have fallen ill following a norovirus outbreak during a Southern Caribbean voyage, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak affected 102 passengers and 13 crew members, bringing the total number of cases to 115. Reported symptoms included vomiting and diarrhoea, commonly associated with norovirus infections.
The cruise ship departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on April 28 with over 3,100 passengers and more than 1,100 crew members onboard. The outbreak was officially reported to the CDC after the number of cases crossed the threshold required for public notification.
Princess Cruises described the situation as a “mild gastrointestinal illness” and stated that the infections occurred over the course of the voyage rather than simultaneously.
In response to the outbreak, the cruise line said it intensified sanitation efforts across the ship and carried out extensive disinfection procedures.
“Upon arrival at Port Canaveral, Caribbean Princess will undergo comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before departing for its next voyage,” the company said.
The ship’s itinerary included stops in the Bahamas, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Passengers onboard said the cruise atmosphere remained largely normal despite the outbreak, with regular activities and dining services continuing during the journey.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis. Symptoms typically include vomiting, watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and fever, with most patients recovering within a few days without medical treatment.
Health experts say the virus spreads quickly in crowded environments such as cruise ships through contaminated food, water, surfaces and close human contact.
