Particle.news
Download on the App Store

CDC Probes Norovirus Outbreak on Star Princess That Sickened 153 on Caribbean Voyage

CDC investigators are conducting an on-site environmental assessment to guide control measures.

Overview

  • Officials confirmed 153 illnesses during the March 7–14 voyage, including 104 passengers and 49 crew with diarrhea and vomiting.
  • The cruise line reported the outbreak to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on March 11 while the ship was at sea.
  • Princess Cruises isolated sick individuals, intensified cleaning and disinfection, and collected stool samples for testing.
  • The vessel returned to Fort Lauderdale, then departed on a new itinerary with a scheduled call at Princess Cays as the field investigation proceeds.
  • The Star Princess carried 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew on the voyage, and cruise-ship outbreaks account for about 1% of U.S. norovirus outbreaks.