Cruise Line Ships Occupy Berths at Port Miami – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by TetKabrit
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 100 guests and crew members on a cruise ship that traveled out of Florida have contracted norovirus.
By the numbers: According to the CDC, on February 2, Holland America Line’s MS Rotterdam sailed from Port Everglades on a 12-day journey.
According to the most recent data, 12 of the 969 crew members and 107 of the 2,614 passengers on board had contracted norovirus.
Holland America responded by informing the CDC that it is strengthening cleaning and disinfection efforts and isolating crew members and passengers who are infected in order to assist stop the spread of the infection.
Norovirus: What is it?
The CDC states that although norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug,” it is not the same as the flu. It is extremely contagious and the main cause of foodborne disease, diarrhea, and vomiting in the United States.
According to the federal agency, over half of norovirus outbreaks have been traced back to eateries or other food-related settings. Infected individuals can contract the virus by coming into touch with food or beverages.
Additional recent cruise ship outbreaks
Seven cruise ships that leave the United States have notified the CDC of disease outbreaks so far in 2025.
The Radiance of the Seas, which sailed from Tampa, had a gastrointestinal ailment that spread only last week, according to Royal Caribbean. Eight crew members and 160 passengers were the final number of illnesses reported to the CDC as of Tuesday.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
