Norovirus sickens over 200 cruise ship passengers on month-long voyage

More than 200 cruise vessel passengers were infected with norovirus connected a transatlantic voyage that is presently inactive astatine sea.

The illnesses occurred connected the Cunard cruise enactment vessel Queen Mary 2, which departed Southampton successful the U.K. connected March 8.

The vessel traveled to New York and to respective islands successful the Eastern Caribbean, according to Cunard’s website.

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Out of the full 2,538 passengers, 224 became sick with the virus. Seventeen unit members were besides affected, arsenic stated successful an alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 200 cruise vessel passengers were infected with norovirus connected a transatlantic voyage that is presently inactive astatine sea. (iStock)

Diarrhea and vomiting were the superior symptoms reported. All sick passengers person been isolated, the announcement noted.

The vessel is expected to instrumentality to Southampton connected Sunday, April 6.

Cunard has accrued its cleaning and disinfection procedures successful effect to the outbreak, according to the CDC.

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The cruise enactment has besides collected stool specimens from sick passengers for testing. 

"VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) is remotely monitoring the situation, including reappraisal of the ship's outbreak effect and sanitation procedures," the CDC stated.

Norovirus dispersed and symptoms

Norovirus, besides known as food poisoning oregon the tummy bug, is simply a highly contagious microorganism that causes inflammation of the tummy oregon intestines, per the CDC.

"Norovirus, besides known arsenic Norwalk-like virus, is simply a starring origin of gastroenteritis successful the U.S.," Dr. Amber Charoen, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Gastro Health successful Kennewick, Washington, antecedently told Fox News Digital.

"The operation of indoor spaces, adjacent interaction and crowding is wherefore norovirus thrives successful environments similar schools, time cares and cruise ships," 1 adept said. (iStock)

"It tin dispersed with arsenic fewer arsenic 10 particles done contaminated food, vomit, stool and even person-to-person contact."

The highly contagious microorganism tin besides dispersed via contaminated surfaces, utensils oregon foods.

"The operation of indoor spaces, adjacent interaction and crowding is wherefore norovirus thrives successful environments similar schools, time cares and cruise ships," Chad D. Neilsen, MPH, manager of Infection Prevention and Control astatine Nemours Children's Health successful Florida, antecedently told Fox News Digital.

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"Once an outbreak starts, it’s challenging to power it without public wellness and sanitation expertise."

While it is often referred to arsenic a "stomach flu" oregon "stomach bug," norovirus is not related to influenza.

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"Symptoms of norovirus vary, but those infected thin to person a premix of low-grade fever, chills, vomiting, headache, musculus aches and fatigue," Baum said. 

"In addition, norovirus outbreaks typically nutrient nausea (more often in children), watery diarrhea (more often successful adults) and tummy cramps."

While it is often referred to arsenic a "stomach flu" oregon "stomach bug," norovirus is not related to influenza. (iStock)

There is nary circumstantial medicine to dainty norovirus, according to Baum. 

Nielsen antecedently shared with Fox News Digital that norovirus is the starring origin of foodborne illnesses successful the U.S., causing astir 20 cardinal cases each year.

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Norovirus is liable for astir 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths each twelvemonth successful the U.S., mostly affecting adults over 65 years old, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

About 1 successful 15 Americans volition get norovirus annually, and 1 retired of 160 children volition beryllium hospitalized.

Prevention and treatment

The champion defence against norovirus is to lavation hands frequently, place symptoms aboriginal and isolate if sick, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, objective prof of medicine astatine NYU Langone Health and Fox News elder aesculapian analyst.

The CDC besides recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and washing laundry successful blistery water, if possible.

The champion defence against norovirus is to lavation hands frequently, place symptoms aboriginal and isolate if sick, a doc advised. (iStock)

"There is nary attraction but to enactment well-hydrated," helium told Fox News Digital. "[It] mostly lasts astir 3 days."

Neilsen agreed that astir radical volition retrieve from norovirus successful 1 to 3 days without immoderate treatment, but others could acquisition much terrible symptoms similar dehydration, which "could necessitate aesculapian attention."

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The CDC recommends drinking plentifulness of liquids to forestall dehydration and to seek medical attraction if it becomes severe.

Fox News Digital reached retired to Cunard requesting further comment.