The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 172 people have fallen ill with a highly contagious norovirus on a cruise ship arriving in California on Sunday.
According to news.com.au, The Crown Princess has more than 4100 people on board, and will be met by CDC upon arrival in San Pedro, who will then conduct testing and evaluate the response.
Princess Cruises has enacted “stringent disinfecting protocols”, which were developed in consultation with the CDC, as well as conducting a deep cleaning of the ship and terminal in LA, according to spokeswoman Susan Lomax.
News.com.au also reported that in April, 129 people on the same ship contracted norovirus on board a seven-day cruise off the California coast, which subsequently went through the same disinfecting process.
Lomax was reported saying that cold and flu season was a key player in the development of viruses, and that Princess Cruises encourages all passengers to diligently follow practices of washing and sanitising their hands.
Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and body aches, with most people revering within three days according to CDC.
