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A Royal Caribbean cruise arrived at the port of Miami on Thursday morning after a 13-night journey marked by an outbreak of norovirus that affected dozens of passengers and crew members.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, at least 94 passengers and four crew members contracted the illness during the voyage of the "Serenade of the Seas," which set sail from San Diego on September 19 and made stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia before arriving in Miami.
The patients exhibited symptoms associated with gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Passengers reported on social media the rapid spread of the virus.
"Suddenly, shortly after having dinner, you felt really unwell," commented one person in a video posted on TikTok.
Another traveler detailed the hygiene measures adopted by the crew: salt and pepper shakers were removed from the tables, the casino was disinfected, and attendees were required to sanitize their hands before entering the theater.
What is norovirus and what are the symptoms?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and can spread quickly in closed environments such as cruise ships.
It is commonly referred to as "stomach flu" or "stomach virus." This leads people to mistakenly associate it with the flu, but that is not the case. The flu is caused by the influenza virus.
For its part, norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which manifests with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Most infected individuals improve within one to three days, but they can continue to spread the virus for a few days afterwards, according to the CDC.
Infectious disease experts explain that norovirus spreads quickly in crowded, enclosed spaces like cruise ships, due to the large number of shared surfaces and inadequate hygiene practices.
Dr. Aileen Marty explained to Local 10 that contamination can easily occur when individuals who do not wash their hands properly after using the restroom handle food or surfaces, and she mentioned that transmission can happen even with common items such as chips or bread.
Measures of the cruise company
Royal Caribbean issued a statement assuring that the health and safety of their guests, crew, and the communities they visit are their top priority, and that they implement cleaning procedures that exceed public health guidelines.
However, the outbreak highlights the risks that persist during prolonged travel with a large number of passengers and constant contact with shared areas.
The CDC emphasizes that, in addition to cleaning surfaces, it is necessary to wash hands with soap and water for at least 60 seconds. This is the most effective measure to curb the spread of the virus.
The health authority will continue to monitor the situation and will engage with passengers upon their arrival to document their experience and determine additional measures to prevent future outbreaks.
The incident highlights the challenges that cruises face during the gastrointestinal virus season, where the combination of enclosed spaces, high population density, and lengthy trips facilitates the rapid spread of infections such as norovirus.
Frequently asked questions about the norovirus outbreak on the Royal Caribbean cruise
What is norovirus and what are its symptoms?
The norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, presenting with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Most affected individuals recover within one to three days, but they can continue to spread the virus to others during this time.
How does norovirus spread on cruise ships?
The norovirus spreads rapidly in crowded, enclosed spaces, such as cruise ships, due to the high number of shared surfaces and inadequate hygiene practices. The virus can be transmitted through food, contaminated surfaces, and direct contact between individuals.
What preventive measures were taken on the affected cruise?
Royal Caribbean implemented measures such as removing salt and pepper shakers from tables, disinfecting common areas like the casino, and requiring passengers to sanitize their hands before entering the theater. The company stated that health and safety are its top priority, following protocols that exceed public health guidelines.
What recommendations do the CDC make to prevent norovirus?
The CDC recommends washing hands with water and soap for at least 60 seconds as the most effective measure to prevent the spread of norovirus. Additionally, it is advised to avoid touching your face and to regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
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