SouthernWorldwide.com – A highly contagious norovirus outbreak has affected over 100 individuals on the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC report, released on Thursday, indicated that 102 out of 3,116 passengers, representing 3.3% of those onboard, and 13 out of 1,131 crew members, or 1.2%, experienced symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. This outbreak was officially reported to the CDC on May 7.
The cruise voyage in question took place over a period spanning from April 28 to May 11, as confirmed by the CDC.
Princess Cruises acknowledged that a small number of individuals onboard reported experiencing mild gastrointestinal illness during the voyage.
A statement from Princess Cruises confirmed, “Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the April 28 Caribbean Princess voyage from Port Everglades.”
The cruise line further stated, “We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage. Upon arrival to Port Canaveral on May 11, Caribbean Princess will undergo comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before departing for her next voyage.”
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To effectively manage and curb the spread of the virus, Princess Cruises informed the CDC that the ship had intensified its cleaning and disinfection procedures, adhering strictly to its outbreak response plan. This included collecting stool specimens for laboratory testing, isolating passengers and crew members who were ill, and consulting with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regarding sanitation measures and the reporting of cases.
The CDC has stated that its Vessel Sanitation Program is actively engaged in a field response. This response includes conducting an environmental assessment and a thorough outbreak investigation, all aimed at controlling the transmission of the illness.
Stewart Chiron, a well-known cruise industry expert based in Miami, often referred to as “The Cruise Guy,” commented to Fox News Digital that norovirus is a common ailment in the United States, with millions of cases reported annually. He noted that cases specifically linked to cruise ships constitute a minor portion of the overall number of infections.
Chiron explained that outbreaks typically commence when infected passengers board a ship and, perhaps unknowingly, begin to spread the virus. However, he emphasized that cruise lines implement stringent sanitation protocols and promptly isolate individuals who are sick to minimize further transmission. He also pointed out that the number of reported cases on the Caribbean Princess slightly exceeds the CDC’s 3% threshold, which is the benchmark used to define an outbreak.
Norovirus is recognized as a frequent cause of gastrointestinal illness experienced on cruise ships. The CDC clarifies that the reported case totals encompass illnesses that occurred throughout the entire duration of the voyage and do not necessarily imply that all passengers were sick simultaneously.
