More Than 300 People on Texas-Mexico Cruise Ship Fall Sick

Over 300 people on a cruise ship from Texas to Mexico had fallen ill to Norovirus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. The CDC is yet to determine what caused the mass illness.

At least 284 of the 2,881 passengers and 34 of the 1,159 crew members fell ill with Vomiting and diarrhea aboard the Princess Cruises ship between February 26 and March 5, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying.

Norovirus - Symptoms - Signs - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention
Norovirus or winter vomiting bug, the virus that spoils your vacation, is the leading cause of food-borne disease and a major cause of food contamination.

‘Norovirus also known as cruise ship virus was found to cause more than 90 percent of diarrheal disease outbreaks on cruise ships.’

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In response to the outbreak, the cruise company collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases to send to the CDC lab for pathogenic identification.

People On Texas-Mexico Cruise Ship Fall Ill

The CDC sent a team of epidemiologists to probe the possible virus that tore through the ship, Ruby Princess, after it docked in Galveston, Texas, on March 5.

The company said the sickness was likely caused by Norovirus, a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and Diarrhea.

The Ruby Princess has since embarked on a new voyage, the company said.

Quiz on Norovirus
Norovirus is a common viral infection. Though usually not life-threatening, the infection may result in serious consequences in some patients. See how much you know about this infection by taking this quiz.

The latest group of passengers, currently on a seven-day Caribbean cruise, were told about the increased illnesses on the previous trip.

The Ruby Princess has made headlines in the past as the site of several COVID-19 outbreaks, including a 2020 cruise early in the coronavirus pandemic that docked in Australia with hundreds of positive cases on board.

Norovirus, Stomach Viruses can Spread Through Saliva
Coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing food and utensils, and even kissing may potentially spread the norovirus and other enteric viruses (stomach viruses).

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