More than 100 passengers on US cruise ship sick from suspected norovirus

Over 100 passengers and approximately 23 crew members aboard the Princess Cruises vessel Ruby Princess have fallen ill with suspected norovirus. The outbreak was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than two weeks into the ship's journey, which departed San Francisco on June 12th for Alaska and Canada. This marks the third norovirus outbreak on a Princess Cruises ship this year. The Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco on Thursday for disinfecting, and ill individuals have been isolated. Norovirus is a highly contagious illness causing diarrhea and vomiting, and cruise ships are noted as potential incubators for such illnesses due to close proximity.

Over 120 individuals, including 102 passengers and 23 crew members, were infected with norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus, aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship. The vessel was on a 20-day round trip from San Francisco to Canada and Alaska when the outbreak occurred. Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, and it is typically spread through contaminated food, surfaces, or direct contact. Princess Cruises stated that their crew implemented enhanced sanitation protocols and the ship would be thoroughly cleaned before its next departure. This incident is one of seven reported illness outbreaks on cruise ships in the CDC's jurisdiction this year, predominantly caused by norovirus.