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AT least seventy people on a month-long cruise have been sickened by a stomach-churning virus that left them vomiting and with uncontrollable bowels.
Trapped travelers waited in horror as norovirus tore through their Princess Cruises ship in the final weeks of a lengthy journey from Singapore to California.
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At least 55 of the 1,822 passengers caught the virus, and 15 of the 907-person crew was also left painfully ill, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Most of them suffered from diarrhea and vomiting, which are expected from the inflammatory virus.
The virus erupted through the Coral Princess, which launched on October 17 and stopped by Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Japan before stopping in Hawaii on November 10.
The ship returned to Los Angeles on November 17 and is now being disinfected and tested for the virus.
Princess Cruises also collected infected stool samples for testing purposes as they investigate what happened.
According to the CDC, most norovirus cases cause one to three days of intestinal fury, and victims can be infectious for days after this.
It also can trigger fever, headache, and painful aching in the arms and legs.
Norovirus is often called the “stomach flu,” but the infection is normally foodborne and can spread rapidly through cruise ship buffets and raw seafood.
Those affected normally have to wait in anguish for the symptoms to pass and focus on trying to keep liquids down.
People can spread the virus by sharing food or drinks, or just by touching one another, the CDC warned.
Unlucky guests started reporting symptoms on November 9, which was over a week before they docked.
The CDC warned the public of the outbreak because more than 3% of guests and crew reported symptoms.
Princess Cruises has had 11 infectious outbreaks so far this year, and eight of those were norovirus, USA Today reported.
Travelers are warned to watch what they eat as norovirus season peaks in the fall and winter.
When to call 911 for norovirus
NOROVIRUS usually goes away on its own after a couple of days and doesn’t require medical attention.
Staying hydrated, eating easy-to-digest foods, and getting plenty of rest should do the trick.
But you might need to speak to a doctor if:
- You’re worried about your baby who is younger than 12 months
- Your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- You think your child under five might be dehydrated – signs could include fewer wet nappies
- You’ve used rehydration sachets but still have signs of dehydration
- You or your child keep being sick and can’t keep fluids down
- You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or start bleeding from the bottom
- You or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or are vomiting for more than two days
And if you spot any of the following signs, it’s vital to seek urgent care:
- Blood in your vomit
- Vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Green vomit (adults) or yellow-green vomit (children)
- A stiff neck
- Pain when looking at bright lights
- A sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
Source: NHS
Prof Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, said, “Although norovirus infections occur throughout the year, it is still highly seasonal.
“Infections increase throughout autumn and early winter and typically peak around February, so I expect that cases will continue to increase as we move towards Christmas.”
There are key measures that travelers can take to prevent catching norovirus this year.
Consistent handwashing, clean food prep techniques, and refusing to share utensils or drinks with people are all ways to keep safe.
If someone gets sick with vomiting or diarrhea, it’s crucial to clean up thoroughly to keep any bacteria from spreading.
Most people who catch norovirus will get better over time, but it may be time to call 911 if you see blood in your vomit, vomit that looks like ground coffee, green vomit, a stiff neck, or pain when looking at bright lights.
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