**Excerpt:** A norovirus outbreak on the Star Princess cruise ship has sickened more than 150 individuals during its recent Caribbean voyage.
Key Points:
– Over 150 people reported gastrointestinal illness aboard the Star Princess cruise ship.
– The outbreak was reported to the CDC after the ship had been at sea for several days.
– A total of 4,307 guests and 1,561 crew were on board during the outbreak.
– Symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting, common signs of norovirus infection.
– The CDC is conducting an environmental assessment and investigation of the outbreak.
Outbreak Details
A norovirus outbreak on the Star Princess cruise ship has resulted in more than 150 people reporting symptoms while sailing through the Caribbean. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 104 guests and 49 crew members experienced gastrointestinal illness during the voyage.
Voyage Information
The Star Princess set sail on March 7 for an eight-day journey, scheduled to conclude on March 14. The cruise departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and included stops in Honduras, Belize, and the Mexican Riviera. At the time of the outbreak report, the ship was traveling from Belize City to Cozumel.
Symptoms and Response
The predominant symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting, typical of norovirus infections. In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises informed the CDC that the crew implemented their outbreak response plan, which includes enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures. They also collected stool samples from symptomatic individuals for testing and isolated affected passengers and crew members.
CDC Involvement
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is actively involved in the response, conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to help mitigate the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships.
Previous Incidents
Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships are not uncommon. Earlier in January, the CDC reported an outbreak on a Holland America cruise ship that affected over 80 individuals. Similarly, in February, 27 people were reported sick on a luxury cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas, during its journey from Miami to Honolulu.
Princess Cruises has not yet responded to requests for further comments regarding the current outbreak.
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