A norovirus outbreak on the Ruby Princess cruise ship has sickened over 120 passengers and crew, leading to quarantine and health measures.
A norovirus outbreak that broke out on a passenger ship in the United States has raised alarm. Following reports of over 120 passengers and crew members aboard the ship, which was sailing off the coast of California, suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, emergency health protocols were activated, and the ship was placed under quarantine.
A passenger ship sailing off the coast of California was quarantined due to a norovirus outbreak affecting more than 120 passengers and crew members. It was reported that after emergency hygiene measures were implemented on the ship, the cases began to be brought under control.
VOMITING AND DIARRHEA OBSERVED IN 125 PEOPLE
On the Ruby Princess, a passenger ship owned by Princess Cruises, a significant number of passengers experienced gastrointestinal distress during a 20-day voyage covering Alaska and British Columbia, Canada. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), out of 3,032 passengers on board, 102 showed norovirus symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, along with 23 of the 1,144 crew members. Thus, the total number of sick individuals reached 125. It was stated that the ship departed from San Francisco on June 12, the outbreak was reported on June 28, and the voyage ended on July 2.
SHIP PLACED UNDER QUARANTINE
Following the outbreak, the Ruby Princess was placed under quarantine until comprehensive cleaning and disinfection procedures were completed off the coast of San Francisco, California. It was noted that the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) of the CDC was remotely monitoring the outbreak response and hygiene procedures implemented on the ship. The company collected samples from sick passengers and crew, isolated symptomatic individuals, and coordinated with health authorities. In a statement made by Princess Cruises, it was said, 'During the 20-day Ruby Princess voyage, a limited number of passengers experienced mild gastrointestinal distress. Our team immediately implemented enhanced hygiene protocols. Cases have decreased and continue to remain at low levels.' The company also announced that the ship would undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection before embarking on its next voyage.
A SIMILAR OUTBREAK OCCURRED A FEW MONTHS AGO ON THE SAME COMPANY'S SHIP
The incident on the Ruby Princess brings to mind a similar norovirus outbreak that occurred a few months ago on the Caribbean Princess, also part of the Princess Cruises fleet. During a Caribbean voyage conducted between April 28 and May 11, 102 out of 3,116 passengers and 13 out of 1,131 crew members reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Following the outbreak, sick passengers and crew were isolated, and comprehensive cleaning and disinfection efforts were carried out on the ship. The CDC initiated an investigation into the incident, and it was reported that there were no fatalities related to the outbreak on the Caribbean Princess.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
