Rib-cracking vomiting bug rips through Caribbean cruise

More than 100 people on a cruise ship fell ill with norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that can cause vomiting so severe that patients crack their ribs.

Approximately 102 passengers and 13 crew members on the Caribbean Princess have been reported sick so far, the CDC said.

The ship, operated by Princess Cruises, set sail on April 28 and is currently headed for Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. It is scheduled to arrive in Port Canaveral, Florida, on May 11.

There are a total of 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew on the ship.

The outbreak was reported to the CDC on May 7, and the main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting, according to the health agency.

Princess Cruises and crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected fecal samples from ill passengers for testing, isolated ill crew and passengers, and consulted the CDC’s Ship Sanitation Program.

The company said: ‘We quickly disinfected every area of ​​the ship and added extra sanitization throughout the voyage. ‘On arrival at Port Canaveral on May 11, Caribbean Princess will undergo extensive cleaning and disinfection before embarking on her next voyage.’

This is the fourth outbreak of the gastrointestinal illness on a U.S. cruise ship this year, according to the CDC, and comes as an international ship called the MV Hondius is battling a deadly hantavirus outbreak.

An outbreak in January and February was linked to E.coli; One outbreak in March was norovirus; The third outbreak in April was again associated with E.coli.

Norovirus infects about 21 million Americans each year and sends nearly two million to doctors’ offices or urgent care.

It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration. It is spread through contact with germs from an infected person’s vomit or feces, contaminated food, shared utensils, or touched surfaces.

Although most people recover within a few days, the virus kills about 900 people each year, mostly adults 65 and older.

Outbreaks are most common during the winter months due to holiday festivities, travel, and an increase in the number of people gathering in groups to stay warm indoors, where pathogens can easily spread.

It is also common in crowded public areas such as cruise ships.

Norovirus symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, usually develop within 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

Dehydration is a major concern. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can cause the body to rapidly lose fluid and electrolytes; This can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, reduced blood flow to vital organs, and an electrolyte imbalance that can damage the heart and muscles.

Electrolyte imbalances can also cause seizures and, in some cases, loss of consciousness.

Hand sanitizers alone cannot kill virus particles on the skin, so doctors strongly recommend washing one’s hands frequently.