Norovirus Outbreak Hits 200 People in Caribbean Cruise; 8 Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment

More than 200 people fell ill with the norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness, on two different cruise ships owned by Royal Caribbean.

The two ships, Celebrity Infinity and The Legend of the Seas, left last March 15 to start their respective 15-night cruises, according to CBS News. There were 106 people who reported to have suffered from the virus on the Celebrity Infinity and 114 on The Legend of the Seas.

This is not the first outbreak on the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship. The first two occurred in 2006 and 2013, making this year the third time, according to CNN.

The sick passengers were given over-the-counter medicine to counter the contagious virus. The norovirus is caused by contamination in food and water and its symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.

The Centers for Disease Control will be inspecting both ships to know what is making the people sick. According to their report, the ships have upped their sanitation and disinfection procedures.

The norovirus is a highly contagious bug that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines. It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, according to Medicine Net.

Here are eight facts about the norovirus:

1.) The virus can survive extreme temperature in water and on surfaces. It is acquired by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated. People can also be infected if they come in contact with a surface ridden with the virus and then touch their nose, eyes, or mouth without proper hand washing, according to WebMD.

2.) An infected person can also pass the virus to other people through close contact or hand shaking and sharing of food or utensils.

3.) It takes about a day or two before the symptoms of the norovirus infection appear. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and chills.

4.) There is no known medicine to treat the norovirus infection. However, it can go away on its own in a few days.

5.) According to the CDC, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids if you have the virus to prevent dehydration.

6.) Proper hand washing with a good soap and water can prevent norovirus infection. This is especially useful after using the restroom, changing diapers, and before eating, preparing, and handling any type of food. Alcohol hand sanitizers can be used on top of hand washing. The virus can stay in your stool for up to two weeks after your infection recovery, so make sure to practice hand hygiene even until then.

7.) Make sure to carefully wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Seafood should also be thoroughly cooked as well.

8.) Clean, sanitize, and thoroughly disinfect contaminated surfaces using a chlorine bleach solution. For clothes and linens that have been stained with infected vomit or feces, handle and wash the items with detergent. Make sure to also wash your hands after handling any soiled linens or clothing.