The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 125 people aboard Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess ship contracted norovirus on a 20-day voyage that passed through San Francisco, Canada and Alaska.
Of the 125 infected, 102 were passengers and 23 crew. The main symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting, according to a CDC statement.
The ship was on a round trip from San Francisco. The trip began on June 12 and the vessel returned to California yesterday, with more than 4 thousand people on board in total.
The outbreak was reported to the CDC on June 28. According to the agency, the passengers and crew did not all fall ill at the same time, and sick people were isolated.
In a statement, Princess Cruises reported that it has implemented reinforced sanitization protocols throughout the vessel. The company also said that the ship will undergo complete cleaning and disinfection before its next voyage.
This is the seventh outbreak of gastrointestinal illness reported on cruise ships in the United States this year. Most cases were caused by norovirus, according to the CDC.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is the most common agent of acute gastroenteritis in the world, according to WHO data. It is estimated that it causes 685 million cases per year, of which 200 million occur in children under 5 years of age.
Around 200,000 people die annually as a result of the infection. Young children, the elderly over 65 and individuals with other health conditions are the most vulnerable.
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most people recover in one to three days, but they can continue transmitting the virus for up to two weeks after their symptoms end.
The virus spreads very easily. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected people, sharing food or utensils, ingesting contaminated items and touching infected surfaces.
There is no approved vaccine against norovirus. The main prevention measure is to wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Alcohol gel alone is not enough, warns the CDC.
Other recommendations involve cooking seafood well, sanitizing fruits and vegetables, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, washing clothes in hot water, and staying home for at least two days after symptoms end.
