The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently monitoring a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess, a Princess Cruises ship that set sail from Fort Lauderdale over a week ago. According to a CDC report, this outbreak has affected a total of 115 individuals, including 102 passengers out of 3,116 and 13 crew members out of 1,131. The primary symptoms among those affected have been diarrhea and vomiting.
The Caribbean Princess embarked on a 13-day voyage that includes stops at various destinations such as the Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The ship is scheduled to conclude its journey with a docking at Port Canaveral in Orlando on May 11.
In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols on the vessel. The cruise line is actively collecting specimens for testing, isolating the ill passengers and crew, and consulting with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) to ensure proper cleaning procedures and reporting of sick cases.
The CDC is conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation through its VSP to assist in controlling the spread of the virus. The outbreak was officially reported to the CDC on May 7.
This recent incident marks the second norovirus outbreak linked to a Princess Cruises ship in recent months. In March, the Star Princess also reported an outbreak that affected 104 guests and 49 crew members. Similar to the Caribbean Princess, the Star Princess had departed from Fort Lauderdale and traveled through the Caribbean, making stops in locations like Honduras and Belize before concluding its voyage back in Port Everglades.
In addition to these recent outbreaks, earlier this year the CDC reported an outbreak on a Holland America cruise ship that sickened over 80 people after its departure from Fort Lauderdale at the end of December. Furthermore, in February, 27 individuals fell ill due to an unidentified gastrointestinal illness aboard the Regent Seven Seas, which was sailing from Miami to Honolulu.
With the influx of reported illnesses, health officials are stressing the importance of strict sanitation measures on cruise ships to mitigate the impact of these outbreaks in the future.
