By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-19 14:57:51 | Updated at 2024-11-23 13:50:46
3 days ago
Passengers and crew aboard Princess Cruises' Coral Princess were plagued by a norovirus outbreak on its 31-day journey from Singapore to Los Angeles.
Of the 1,822 passengers on board, 55 of them reported being ill during the voyage, as well as 15 of the 907 crew members, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The ship departed for its trans-Pacific voyage on October 17 and the outbreak was reported to the agency on November 9.
Coral Princess made stops eight stops in Thailand, Vietnam, China and Japan before stopping in Hawaii on November 10, according to CruiseMapper.
The CDC ruled the causative agent was norovirus and the predominant symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting.
In response to the outbreak Princess Cruises reported to the CDC that they increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan.
They also collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing.
Coral Princess arrived in Los Angeles on November 17 to drop off those passengers, then embarked on 16-day journey to Fort Lauderdale that afternoon.
Passengers and crew aboard Princess Cruises' Coral Princess were plagued by norovirus
Norovirus infections are caused by a group of viruses that spread remarkably easily and can take as few as 10 particles to make someone unwell.
It can spread from person to person, in food or water or on contaminated surfaces including door knobs or handrails.
The main symptoms are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Some people also have a high temperature, a headache and aching arms and legs.
In severe cases some people may need to be hospitalized. The elderly and children most at-risk.
In September a salmonella outbreak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship caused 180 passengers of the 2,172 onboard and three staff out of 894 to suffer unpleasant symptoms.
Those onboard the Radiance of the Seas ship from September 20 to 27 reported experiencing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and muscle aches while on a Alaskan voyage.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean said: 'The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority.
'To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.'
The CDC ruled the causative agent was norovirus and the predominant symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting
In September, a salmonella outbreak on a Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas (pictured) caused 180 passengers and three staff members to suffer unpleasant symptoms
That was the second outbreak aboard the Radiance of the Seas is year, after nearly 70 people came down with norovirus in April.
In a voyage from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, 67 of the 1,993 guests onboard fell ill as well as two crew members.
In 2024, the CDC has logged 11 outbreaks of gastro illness that met its threshold for notifying the public. Norovirus has been listed as the reason in all but three of those.
Dr Darin Detwiler, leading food safety expert in the US, told DailyMail.com that viruses like E.coli, salmonella and norovirus are common on cruise ships because of cramped quarters, the thousands of people on board and the high volume of communal food.
Cruise ships face 'unique challenges' when it comes to food safety, Detwiler noted, 'particularly because they serve large numbers of passengers in enclosed spaces where illnesses can spread quickly. They are like floating cities.'
He added: 'Cruise ships also typically source food internationally, stopping at various ports to replenish supplies. This can result in varying safety standards, especially when it comes to fresh produce, meats, and seafood.'
