Contagious outbreak on cruise ship strikes nearly 100 people

Image: spreewald.picture.de/Shutterstock.com

Nearly 100 passengers on a 10-day Sun Princess cruise of the South Pacific have had their cruise holiday turn into a nightmare after being struck with norovirus – a virus with similar, unfortunate symptoms to gastro.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line told the ABC the virus was widespread throughout the general community in Australia’s eastern states.

Read more: Airline’s marriage equality tweet backfires

“Proactive and successful steps were taken on board Sun Princess to limit any spread of the illness,” he said.

“The first case was reported on day one of the cruise, suggesting the illness was introduced to the ship during embarkation in Brisbane.”

It’s reported 91 people contracted the illness and the ship was subjected to a deep cleaning process in the Brisbane port.

A similar incident occurred on the Sun Princess in February, where about 140 passengers on a cruise from Brisbane to New Zealand became afflicted with gastro.

According to Queensland Government, symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea, stomach pain and vomiting.

Read more: The gross reason you shouldn’t use the hotel hairdryer

The virus can be contracted through eating or drinking contaminated food and liquids, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing your hand in your mouth, small airborne particles from projectile vomiting or having direct contact with another person who is afflicted.

There is currently no antiviral medication that works against the virus, so those afflicted just have to ride it out.

The key to preventing the spread of the virus is to keep your person, food and surroundings as clean as possible.