The Coral Princess, a ship from the Princess Cruises fleet, returned to Los Angeles on Sunday morning after a Norovirus outbreak affected dozens of passengers and crew members during its extended voyage from Singapore.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed the outbreak on Thursday, 55 of the 1,822 passengers onboard fell ill, along with 15 crew members. The outbreak marks another instance of Norovirus incidents affecting cruise ships, an environment where viruses can spread rapidly due to close quarters.
The Norovirus infection, known for causing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, is highly contagious. The CDC reports that gastrointestinal illnesses like Norovirus must be reported by cruise lines to the agency’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which oversees and ensures health and sanitation standards on cruise vessels operating within U.S. waters.
The Coral Princess reported the first cases of illness on November 9, and the CDC confirmed the details soon after. To prevent further spread, Princess Cruises increased its cleaning and disinfection procedures, in line with CDC recommendations, and collected stool samples from the affected individuals for testing.
The Coral Princess embarked on its voyage from Singapore on October 17, making multiple stops across Asia and arriving in Hawaii on November 10 before completing its journey back to Los Angeles.
The ship’s itinerary involved stops in several high-traffic ports, which potentially increased the risk of exposure to and spread of infectious illnesses. While Norovirus outbreaks are not unusual on cruises, they require immediate action to prevent widespread contagion, especially considering the challenges of containment in a closed environment.
Norovirus, often nicknamed the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” is a particularly aggressive virus. It isn’t, however, related to influenza (flu), despite the common association. Norovirus is notorious for its rapid onset and contagious nature, with symptoms that appear suddenly and typically last one to three days. One of the primary concerns with Norovirus is the risk of dehydration, as frequent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly deplete the body’s fluids. The CDC advises those affected by Norovirus to drink plenty of fluids to avoid complications from dehydration.
In response to the incident, Princess Cruises implemented enhanced sanitation measures to protect both passengers and crew members. The CDC requires that such illness outbreaks on cruise ships be managed with strict sanitation protocols, which typically involve frequent disinfection of surfaces, food preparation areas, and communal spaces, as well as clear guidelines to prevent person-to-person transmission.
Princess Cruises has not yet commented on the situation, but the incident underscores the importance of vigilant sanitation and prompt health responses on cruise ships, particularly during longer international journeys.
For passengers, maintaining good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, is crucial to reducing the risk of contracting such infections.
