Hundreds of cruise passengers get norovirus on month-long voyage

More than 200 cruise ship passengers on board the Queen Mary 2, a Cunard cruise line ship, have been infected with norovirus during a transatlantic voyage. The ship departed from Southampton in the U.K. on March 8 and has since traveled to New York and several islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

Out of the total 2,538 passengers, 224 passengers and 17 crew members were affected by the virus. The primary symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting, leading to the isolation of all sick passengers on board. The ship is currently still at sea and is expected to return to Southampton on Sunday, April 6.

In response to the outbreak, Cunard has implemented increased cleaning and disinfection procedures on the ship. Stool specimens from sick passengers have been collected for testing, and the Vessel Sanitation Program is monitoring the situation closely.

Norovirus, also known as the stomach bug, is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can spread through contaminated food, vomit, stool, person-to-person contact, and contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of norovirus include low-grade fever, chills, vomiting, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, watery diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

There is no specific medicine to treat norovirus, and the best defense is to wash hands frequently, identify symptoms early, and isolate if sick. Most people will recover from norovirus in one to three days without treatment, but severe cases may require medical attention. It is important to stay well-hydrated to prevent dehydration, and medical care should be sought if dehydration becomes severe.

Prevention measures recommended by the CDC include washing hands frequently, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and washing laundry in hot water. Drinking plenty of liquids is also crucial to prevent dehydration.

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S., causing about 20 million cases each year. It is responsible for approximately 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually, mostly affecting adults over 65 years old. About one in 15 Americans will get norovirus each year, and one out of 160 children will be hospitalized.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. Fox News Digital reached out to Cunard for additional comment on the situation.