A norovirus outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship has affected 125 people during a 20-day voyage from San Francisco to Canada and Alaska, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials said 102 passengers and 23 crew members fell ill after the ship departed San Francisco on June 12. The outbreak was reported to the CDC during the voyage, prompting the cruise line to implement enhanced sanitation measures and isolate those showing symptoms to help contain the spread.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly spreads through contaminated food, surfaces, or close contact in crowded environments such as cruise ships. The illness typically causes sudden vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea, with symptoms usually lasting one to three days.
The CDC noted that the cases did not occur simultaneously, and not all infected individuals were ill when the vessel arrived back in San Francisco. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation while reminding travelers to follow good hand hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection.
