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A norovirus epidemic afflicted passengers and crew on Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess during its 31-day voyage from Singapore to Los Angeles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 of the 907 crew members and 55 of the 1,822 passengers on board reported feeling sick during the trip.
On October 17, the ship set out on its trans-Pacific journey, and on November 9, the FDA was notified of the epidemic.
According to CruiseMapper, the Coral Princess stopped in Hawaii on November 10 after making eight stops in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.
The CDC determined that norovirus was the cause, and vomiting and diarrhea were the most common symptoms.
Princess Cruises informed the CDC that, in accordance with their outbreak prevention and response plan, they had stepped up cleaning and disinfection measures.
In response to the epidemic. Additionally, they obtained stool samples for testing from patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
After dropping off those passengers in Los Angeles on November 17, Coral Princess set off for Fort Lauderdale that afternoon, a 16-day voyage.
A type of viruses known as noroviruses are responsible for the illness; they spread incredibly easily and can infect a person with as few as 10 particles.
It can spread from person to person, through infected surfaces like handrails or door knobs, or through food or water.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea are the primary symptoms. In addition, some patients experience headaches, hurting arms and legs, and a high temperature.
Some patients may require hospitalization in extreme circumstances. Children and the elderly are most vulnerable.
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship experienced a salmonella epidemic in September that resulted in unpleasant symptoms for 180 of the 2,172 passengers and three employees out of 894.
While traveling through Alaska from September 20 to 27, passengers on board the Radiance of the Seas ship reported having headaches, muscle aches, diarrhea, and cramping in their abdomens.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement that “our top priority is the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit.”
“We employ stringent cleaning procedures, many of which significantly surpass public health guidelines, to maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships.”
After about 70 individuals contracted norovirus in April, that was the second epidemic on board the Radiance of the Seas this year.
During a trip from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, two staff members and 67 of the 1,993 passengers on board became ill.
Eleven gastro sickness outbreaks in 2024 have reached the threshold for public notification, according to the CDC. In all but three of those, norovirus has been cited as the cause.
Leading US food safety expert Dr. Darin Detwiler told DailyMail.com that due of the crowded conditions,
The large number of passengers, and the amount of communal food served on cruise ships, infections like salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli are prevalent there.
When it comes to food safety, cruise ships confront “unique challenges,” according to Detwiler, “especially.
Because they serve large numbers of passengers in enclosed spaces where illnesses can spread quickly.” They resemble floating metropolises.
“Food is also usually sourced internationally by cruise ships, which stop at different ports to restock,” he continued. This may lead to disparate safety requirements, particularly for fresh meats, seafood, and produce.