A norovirus struck passengers on two cruise ships headed for South Florida. According to company officials, the uncomfortable gastrointestinal virus hit over 200 people on the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess.
Not exactly the pleasure cruise they might have imagined, over 200 people were struck by a norovirus on two Princess Cruise lines headed for sunny South Florida. On Saturday, company officials revealed passengers reported gastrointestinal illnesses.
On Saturday, the Crown Princess arrived in Fort Lauderdale after a seven-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean. According to the New York Daily News, 140 passengers and 18 crew members were struck by a norovirus.
The symptoms of a norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach aches. The illness can also cause headaches, muscle aches and a low fever. While no cause for alarm, a norovirus is definitely discomforting.
A norovirus is typically spread in close quarters such as a cruise ship, nursing home or restaurant. A norovirus is found in the vomit or stool of infected people. It can also be transmitted on surfaces touched by people will this illness.
The Herald Sun reports manager of media relations, Karen Candy, said 81 passengers and 9 crew members were hit by the sickness aboard the Ruby Princess. The Ruby Princess is scheduled to reach Fort Lauderdale on Sunday morning.
Candy said, “The ship continues to undergo the highest level of sanitation to stop the spread of illness, and a comprehensive disinfection of the ship's public areas and all passenger cabins will occur during turnaround this Sunday using additional cleaning crew who will be brought aboard.”
In July, 2011, HULIQ reported Princess would not shoulder full responsibility for the norovirus outbreaks last year. Between May and July, 2011, there were three outbreaks reported for the Sea Princess ship's cruise line. The Sea Princess was headed to Alaska.
Princess maintained the problem was best solved when crew and passengers worked in tandem to prevent an outbreak of the norovirus. The cruise line indicated its employees abide by standards and the ship relies on passengers to do their part. Washing hands frequently is the best way to avoid spreading the virus.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outline the symptoms of a norovirus in “Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships” as part of their “vessel sanitation program.”
While noroviruses are highly contagious, they are not typically serious. Most people recover within 1 to 2 days without long-term adverse health effects. Dehydration may occur if lost liquids are not replaced.
People dealing with a norovirus should wash their hands frequently and drink lots of fluids. Ways to prevent the spread of noroviruses include washing hands often, especially after changing diapers or using the bathroom. Hands should be washed before preparing or eating food. An alcohol-based sanitizer with hand washing also helps.
Prior to the liners' next departures, emergency notification was sent out by the cruise company. They indicated the ship would have to “undergo a prolonged and additional disinfection" in Port Everglades on Sunday.
While the cruise ship situation is uncomfortable and caused delays, the norovirus should not have an impact on anyone for more than a couple of days.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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#1 Crown Princess& Noro virus
The Crown Princess is a sick ship & was at the beginning of December ’11. The crew denied the actual # of folks sick, although the captain got concerned on the 3rd day. If you saw the poor sanitary methods, you would understand! Yes, I was one of the ill passengers!