- 224 passengers and 17 crew members have contracted norovirus on the Queen Mary 2 luxury cruise ship.
- The outbreak was first reported on March 18 when the ship stopped in New York during its 29-day Eastern Caribbean journey.
- Cunard has implemented deep cleaning procedures, and reports that cases are already declining.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a norovirus outbreak has struck Cunard's luxury cruise liner Queen Mary 2, affecting 241 people aboard the vessel during its Eastern Caribbean voyage.
The CDC reports that 224 passengers and 17 crew members have contracted the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, representing approximately 9% of the 2,538 passengers and 1% of the 1,232 crew members on board.
Affected individuals have experienced typical norovirus symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting.
The outbreak was first identified on March 18 when the ship docked in New York, according to cruise tracking site Cruise Mapper.
The Queen Mary 2 departed Southampton, England, on March 8 for a 29-day round-trip journey to the Eastern Caribbean with planned stops in St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, and other destinations before returning to Southampton on April 6.
In response to the outbreak, Cunard Line stated Tuesday that the ship has undergone deep cleaning, and passengers are under close observation.
"Thanks to the swift response from our crew and the additional measures that we have in place, we are already seeing a reduction in reported cases," the company said.
The CDC confirmed that enhanced sanitation procedures have been implemented, including increased cleaning and disinfection protocols. Ill passengers and crew have been isolated, and samples have been collected for testing.
Norovirus spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated food or surfaces, and can continue to be contagious for up to two weeks after symptoms subside.
Edited by Annette George
