By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Federal health officials report investigating a norovirus outbreak onboard Royal Caribbean International vessel, Grandeur of the Seas.

Image/CDC

The outbreak on the March 7–March 19, 2020 voyage has sickened 83 passengers and six crew members, who developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

Specimens have been collected, tested onboard, and found to be positive for norovirus. The specimens will be sent to CDC for genome sequencing.

Royal Caribbean International and crew aboard the ship have taken the following actions:

  • Increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan.
  • Collecting stool specimens from passenger and crew gastrointestinal illness cases for testing.
  • Making announcements to notify onboard passengers and crew of the outbreak, encourage case reporting, and encourage good hand hygiene.

CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is sending an investigation team to investigate the causative agent and assist with preventing further spread of illness.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus.

Typical symptoms of norovirus infection are acute onset of vomiting, watery, non-bloody diarrhea with abdominal cramps, and nausea. Systemic manifestations include, fever, myalgia and malaise, anorexia, and headache. Although most symptoms end within 48 hours, the elderly, young children and immunocompromised persons may develop prolonged or more severe symptoms.