Second Norovirus Outbreak on Coral Princess Cruise this Year

100 Swinford Street, Los Angeles, 90731 California, United States

More than 80 people aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship fell ill due to norovirus. This is the second such incident on the ship this year, with the voyage taking place from February 21 to March 9, 2025. The outbreak was reported to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on March 7, 2025. Of the 1,906 passengers on board, 69 reported being ill, accounting for 3.62% of the total passenger count. Additionally, 13 out of 895 crew members, or 1.45%, also reported being unwell. The predominant symptoms among the affected individuals were diarrhea and vomiting, indicative of the norovirus infection.

The problem was discovered when passengers and crew started reporting their symptoms to the medical center onboard. This swift reporting allowed for the quick detection of the outbreak, enabling immediate steps to be taken to limit the spread of the illness. In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to its outbreak prevention and response plan. The crew also collected stool specimens from the ill for testing and isolated the affected passengers and crew. The VSP remotely monitored the situation, including reviewing the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures.

Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person mostly through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces.

In case you experience Norovirus symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea, report it now. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care

Source: www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/more-than-80-people-sick-in-second-coral-princess-norovirus-outbreak-this-year/ar-AA1AI8Qy