Norovirus-hit cruise docks at Port Canaveral after 115 fall ill on nightmare voyage
WPEC • • health
Key Points:
- The Caribbean Princess cruise ship experienced a norovirus outbreak that sickened at least 102 passengers and 13 crew members during a 13-day Caribbean voyage starting April 28 from Fort Lauderdale.
- The outbreak surpassed the CDC’s public-notification threshold, prompting its inclusion on the Vessel Sanitation Program tracking system and federal health monitoring.
- Princess Cruises implemented enhanced health measures, including isolating sick individuals, increasing cleaning and disinfection, and modifying food service to reduce transmission.
- The ship docked at Port Canaveral on Monday, where it will undergo comprehensive cleaning before its next sailing, with port officials confirming no wider public health risk.
- Norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus common on cruise ships, was confirmed by federal health officials, who emphasize the importance of cleaning and isolation to control outbreaks.