A Holland American cruise ship returned to San Diego from Mexico after more than 100 passengers contracted a virus and became sick. Yesterday over 100 people, four crew members and 106 passengers of 2,600 on a Holland American cruise ship had to dock in San Diego although the ship was destined for the Mexican Riviera. The Oosterdam reportedly headed out to sea again Saturday night.

According to reports the four crew members and 106 passengers contracted the norovirus. The symptoms occur fast and typically begin between one and two days after contacting the virus. Some can stay contagious for up to two weeks after they recover.

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,” Holland American Spokesperson Erik Elvejord said.

According to the CDC, Noroviruses (genus Norovirus, family Caliciviridae) are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, nonenveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. Norovirus was recently approved as the official genus name for the group of viruses provisionally described as “Norwalk-like viruses”

The crew declared a "code red" after the first night of the cruise, canceled group events and told passengers they should stay in their rooms. Elvejord also said crews were busy cleaning everything from carpets and linens, to elevator buttons, railings, books, exercise equipment, walls and door jams – basically everything touched by crew and guests.