Norovirus outbreak infected more than 240 people in a month-long luxury parade – Country
A norovirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship hit hard with passengers and crew, with more than 240 people ill on Queen Mary 2 in Cunard Line.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said in an outbreak report that 224 of the ship's 2,538 passengers were sick from the virus and 17 employees.
The ship left Southampton, England on March 8 for New York, then sailed through the Caribbean Sea and made various stops along the island chain. It will return to Southampton on April 6.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN Travel earlier this year that the norovirus is “apparently known as the cruise virus.”
It is highly infectious and where people gather in close proximity, making cruise ships prone to bursts. The CDC reported that there have been 10 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year.
“It's a virus that can infect very few viral particles. In other words, the infectious dose is very small,” Schaffner said.
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“It can last for days or even a week on the surface of the environment, which means that if you place your fingers on a contaminated surface, you can pick up some virus particles, touch your mouth and start the infection.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this particular outbreak has left passengers sick from vomiting and diarrhea. The Health Department said Kurnard stepped up cleaning and disinfection protocols, and patients and crew were quarantined.
“We have seen reduced cases thanks to the quick response from our crew and other measures we have taken,” Kurnard said in a statement to the New York Times on Tuesday.
The CDC describes norovirus as a very infectious virus that can shrink from an infected person, contaminated food or water or through contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus can cause inflammation of the stomach or intestines, which can lead to stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Norovirus disease can be severe, especially for young children and the elderly.
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