A trip on the sea ended not so well for more than 100 passengers on a Holland America Cruise ship who was returning from a seven-day cruise. The passengers got the norovirus, forcing the ship to return to San Diego on Saturday morning to drop them off and undergo a major disinfection.

 

Holland American Spokesperson Erik Elvejord said: “Guests who demonstrated symptoms were asked to remain in their cabins until the symptoms disappeared.”

 

Norovirus, previously known as Norwalk Virus, causes the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. Outbreaks linked to the virus are often linked to ill handlers and contaminated food and water. People infected with the gastrointestinal virus usually experience diarrhea and/or vomiting mostly. The virus is generally spread from person to person by direct contact and/or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

 

Although the illness usually lasts 1 to 2 days and is not considered serious for the general population, young children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, may develop more severe complications and should ask for a healthcare provider’s help.

 

A similar outbreak of the norovius occurred on the Holland America’s Ryndam in 2002. Then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’ s Vessel Sanitation Program had strictly asked the cruise line to implement stern sanitation and disinfection procedures.

 

“Since this type of stomach flu can easily spread, several rigorous cleaning and sanitizing protocols have already been implemented to reduce the risk to other passengers,” Elvejord said.

 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as more cases continued to develop. Each year, less than one percent of all cruise ships are impacted.