More than 90 passengers and crew members aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship experienced gastrointestinal illnesses, leading to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The ship, which departed Tampa, Florida on February 1st for a week-long cruise with 2,164 passengers and a crew of 910, stopped at various ports, including Cozumel and Belize City, before returning on Saturday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated the outbreak was reported during the journey, although the exact cause remains unclear.
Among those affected were 89 passengers and two crew members, all of whom were isolated, and stool specimens were collected for testing. One passenger, Janet Cruze from Chicago, noted that about 10% of her dance group fell ill. The ship implemented enhanced cleaning protocols, including crew members serving food at buffets to reduce touchpoints, and there was continuous disinfection of high-contact areas. Passengers who fell ill were quarantined for 24 to 36 hours but were provided with food and medication.
While Royal Caribbean did not specifically name the illness, norovirus is often suspected in similar outbreaks on cruise ships. The CDC is monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship’s sanitation response as they await confirmation of the pathogen involved. Despite the outbreak, passengers reported feeling well cared for and noted that the crew handled the situation with professionalism.
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