Details of the Outbreak

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flagged the norovirus outbreak on November 9, affecting 3.02% of passengers and 1.65% of crew members on the ship, which hosted 1,822 passengers and 907 crew members. The symptoms experienced by those infected primarily included nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

What is Norovirus?

Commonly dubbed the "stomach bug" or "stomach flu," norovirus is distinct from the influenza virus. Characterized by acute gastrointestinal illness, symptoms often manifest as three or more loose stools within 24 hours, or episodes of vomiting accompanied by abdominal cramps, muscle aches, or fever.

Response to the Outbreak

Princess Cruises quickly ramped up sanitation measures, adhering to their well-prepared outbreak prevention and response plan. This involved enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes throughout the ship. Additionally, stool samples from those afflicted with the virus were collected for further analysis.

Previous Incidents

In comparison, earlier this year, a more severe outbreak occurred on a Viking Cruises vessel, where over 100 passengers and nine crew members became ill within a two-week period in June. While this incident on the Coral Princess is serious, it does not represent the worst-case scenario in recent cruise history.

Conclusion

As health authorities continue to monitor and respond to gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, passengers are advised to remain vigilant about reporting any symptoms. The CDC notes that most individuals who contract norovirus typically recover within one to three days.