Roughly 115 people reported being ill during the voyage, according to the U.S. CDC.
WASHINGTON — A norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship is believed to be the cause of more than 100 passengers becoming ill last week.
The Caribbean Princess departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 28 for a nearly two-week cruise with several island destinations in the Caribbean and was scheduled to return to port on Monday.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 102 passengers and 13 crew members reported becoming ill during the voyage with vomiting and diarrhea being the primary symptoms.
The norovirus outbreak was reported to health officials on Thursday.
In response to the outbreak, passengers and crew members who reported being ill have been isolated, and increased sanitation practices have been initiated.
Norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness that’s commonly referred to as the stomach flu or stomach bug. It is highly contagious and typically lasts about one to three days.
People who have been infected usually develop symptoms about 12 to 48 hours after being exposed.
Washing your hands well and often, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and isolating until symptoms stop are among the best ways to stop the illness from spreading.
According to the CDC, traveling on cruise ships exposes people to new environments and high volumes of people, which can create an increased risk for illness from contaminated food or beverages or by person-to-person contact.
This is the fourth gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a cruise ship so far this year.
That includes a deadly outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius. Three people died and at least five became ill while traveling on the cruise ship. That ship is set to arrive in Spain over the weekend, where World Health Organization leaders will assist in the evacuation of the remaining passengers and crew aboard the vessel.