Norovirus Hits Luxury Cruise Ship: Over 100 Passengers And Crew Infected, What Caused Outbreak?

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 100 passengers and crew members on a luxury cruise ship have fallen ill with norovirus, highly contagious virus that spreads easily through contaminated food, water and surfaces. The outbreak reportedly occurred aboard the AIDAdiva which is currently on a 133-day world cruise visiting 26 countries that include UK, US, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico and Sri Lanka. The luxury cruise ship contaminated by norovirus set sail from Hamburg, Germany on November 10.

What Happened At Luxury Cruise Ship?

At the time, when the ship departed from Miami en route to Cozumel, 95 passengers and six crew members aboard the AIDAdiva have been affected by the norovirus outbreak. The first case was reported on November 30 and people who contracted the virus experienced diarrhoea and vomiting, which are some of the common science and symptoms of the highly contagious virus.

To curb the situation of the ongoing outbreak, it is reported that the crew members followed the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program Guidelines. As of now, sick individuals are being isolated from the rest of the passengers and crew members. The luxury cruise ship has also enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols while collecting stool samples for testing. The AIDAdiva is expected to complete its journey and return to Hamburg on March 23.

A spokesperson on AIDAdiva told the media, "Seasonal illness peaks between November and April and the AIDAdiva report reflects infection patterns on land. Therefore, we've added more hygiene protocols onboard, and cases are already going down."

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness. When a person contracts the virus, it can cause acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. According to healthcare professionals, this virus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces or direct or close contact with an infected person.

Symptoms Of Norovirus

The symptoms of norovirus usually appear 12-48 hours after being exposed to the virus. People who tested positive for the highly contagious virus can show symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting (often sudden and forceful)
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue

There is no specific treatment for people with norovirus illness. To treat yourself or loved ones, you can take rest, stay hydrated and replace electrolytes.

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