Key Takeaway:
- 125 passengers and crew aboard the Ruby Princess contracted norovirus during a 20-day Alaska and Canada cruise.
- Princess Cruises enhanced sanitation and disinfected the ship before its next scheduled departure.
- The CDC advises frequent handwashing with soap and water, as hand sanitizer alone is less effective against norovirus.
More than 120 passengers and crew aboard a Princess Cruises ship contracted norovirus during a 20-day voyage to Canada and Alaska, federal health officials said after the vessel returned to San Francisco and underwent enhanced sanitation measures.
The Princess Cruises norovirus outbreak involved 102 passengers and 23 crew members aboard the Ruby Princess, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship completed its 20-day round-trip voyage from San Francisco to Canada and Alaska before docking Thursday in San Francisco.
CDC confirms outbreak after 20-day cruise
The CDC said the outbreak was reported Saturday after the ship departed on June 12. Officials said those who became ill were not all sick at the same time, nor were they all ill when the ship arrived at or departed from ports.
The Ruby Princess carried 3,032 passengers and 1,144 crew members during the voyage, the CDC said.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with infected people. The illness typically causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain that can last up to three days.
“Norovirus is highly contagious,” the CDC said, noting that older adults, young children, and people with underlying health conditions face a greater risk of severe illness.
Cruise line boosts sanitation before next departure
Princess Cruises said its crew acted quickly after cases were identified following the Princess Cruises norovirus outbreak.
“Our crew responded promptly and implemented enhanced sanitation protocols across the ship,” the company said in a statement.
The cruise line said the vessel would undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection before departing on its next scheduled voyage later Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely monitors gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships operating within its jurisdiction. Cruise operators are required to report outbreaks that meet federal reporting thresholds.
Health officials urge handwashing to prevent infection
The Ruby Princess outbreak is the seventh gastrointestinal illness outbreak reported on cruise ships under the CDC’s jurisdiction this year. Most of the reported outbreaks have been linked to norovirus.
Health officials said most norovirus outbreaks occur when infected individuals spread the virus through direct contact, shared food or utensils, or contaminated surfaces. The virus can also spread through contaminated food or water.
The CDC recommends frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating or drinking. The agency said alcohol-based hand sanitiser alone is not as effective against norovirus.
Federal health officials continue to monitor cruise ship illness reports and work with operators to reduce the risk of additional outbreaks through sanitation measures and public health guidance after the Princess Cruises norovirus outbreak.
