Over 200 passengers and crew members on the Queen Mary 2 have fallen sick due to a norovirus outbreak. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the cases. The Cunard Lines cruise ship is traveling from England to the Eastern Caribbean, according to The New York Times.
Scale of the Outbreak
The CDC reported that 224 passengers and 17 crew members got infected. The ship carries 2,538 passengers and 1,232 crew members. As a result, many onboard experienced diarrhea and vomiting. The outbreak was first reported on March 18 when the cruise stopped in New York, according to Cruise Mapper. Consequently, authorities took immediate action.Steps Taken to Control the Outbreak
On Tuesday, Cunard stated that the ship underwent deep cleaning. Meanwhile, crew members are closely monitoring affected passengers, reports The New York Times. Cunard stated, “Thanks to the swift response from our crew and the additional measures that we have in place, we are already seeing a reduction in reported cases.” Furthermore, the CDC confirmed that the crew increased cleaning and disinfection, isolated sick individuals, and collected samples for testing.Cruise Itinerary
Currently, the Queen Mary 2 is sailing in the North West Atlantic Ocean toward Southampton, according to Cruise Mapper. The ship left Southampton on March 8 for a 29-day round trip to the Eastern Caribbean. Ultimately, the journey will end on April 6. The cruise stopped in New York on March 15, where officials identified the outbreak. In addition, the ship also visited St. Lucia, Barbados, and Dominica before continuing its journey.What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC calls it the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug." It leads to acute gastroenteritis. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected people, contaminated food or drinks, and touching infected surfaces. Therefore, it is important to follow preventive measures. Symptoms last two to three days, but infected people can spread the virus for up to two weeks after recovery.How to Prevent Norovirus
To minimize the risk of infection, the CDC recommends these steps:- Wash hands often with soap and water.
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
- Fully cook shellfish before consuming.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
- Wash laundry in hot water.
- Stay home for two days after symptoms disappear.