Over 200 passengers and crew members aboard the luxury cruise ship Queen Mary 2 have fallen ill due to a norovirus outbreak, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ship, operated by Cunard Lines, is traveling from England to the Eastern Caribbean, media reports indicate.
The CDC reported that 224 passengers and 17 crew members have been affected by the outbreak. The ship carries a total of 2,538 passengers and 1,232 crew members. Key symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea and vomiting.
The outbreak was first detected on March 18 when the cruise docked in New York, as reported by the tracking site Cruise Mapper.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cunard said the vessel had undergone deep cleaning and that affected passengers were under close observation, according to media. “Thanks to the swift response from our crew and the additional measures in place, we are already seeing a decline in reported cases,” the company stated.
The CDC confirmed that the ship has intensified cleaning and disinfection efforts, isolated sick individuals, and collected samples for testing.
As per Cruise Mapper, Queen Mary 2 is currently in the North West Atlantic Ocean, heading towards Southampton. The ship departed from Southampton on March 8 for a 29-day round-trip voyage to the Eastern Caribbean, scheduled to conclude on April 6. During the journey, it stopped in New York on March 15, when the outbreak was initially reported. Other stops included St. Lucia, Barbados, and Dominica.
Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC refers to it as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” which leads to acute gastroenteritis.
The virus can infect people of all ages and spreads through direct contact, contaminated food or beverages, and contaminated surfaces. Although symptoms typically subside within two to three days, infected individuals can continue spreading the virus for up to two weeks.
To prevent norovirus, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, properly cooking shellfish, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, washing laundry in hot water, and staying home for at least two days after recovery.
