Norovirus Sickens Over 100 on Caribbean Princess Cruise, CDC says

Mintesinot Niggusie

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, with 102 passengers and 13 crew members affected during an ongoing voyage in the northwest Atlantic Ocean.

The vessel, carrying 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew members, reported the outbreak to the CDC on Thursday while sailing on a route from Port Everglades to the Caribbean, with the voyage scheduled to conclude in Florida on May 11.

According to the agency, those affected have experienced symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea, consistent with norovirus infection. The ship is currently en route to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

In response to the outbreak, the ship’s crew intensified sanitation measures, isolated individuals showing symptoms, and collected stool samples for laboratory testing. Princess Cruises said only a limited number of guests had reported mild illness.

“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage,” the company said. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus commonly associated with outbreaks in closed environments like cruise ships.

The CDC said the incident marks the fourth gastrointestinal illness outbreak reported on cruise ships so far this year. The vessel will undergo comprehensive cleaning upon arrival in Florida.