More than 120 people fall sick from norovirus outbreak on cruise ship bound for Canada

The virus-striken ship made a stop at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, on June 29. Photo by Lynn Mitges/Postmedia

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A norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises affected more than 120 people on board, according to health officials.

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The Ruby Princess departed San Francisco on Friday, June 12, for a 20-day round-trip journey from San Francisco to Canada and Alaska.

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On Sunday, June 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) received a report of an outbreak.

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Of the 3,032 passengers on board, 102 (3.4 per cent) reported being ill, and of the 1,144 crew, 23 (2 per cent) reported being ill. The most prominent symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting. The VSP posts outbreaks when 3 per cent or more people on board were affected.

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In response to the outbreak, the CDC notes that the crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected stool specimens for testing, isolated ill passengers and crew, and consulted with VSP about procedures.

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The ship made a stop at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, on June 29, according to CruiseMapper records, and returned to San Francisco on Thursday as planned.

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The itinerary shows that Ruby Princess has since departed San Francisco at 3 p.m. local time on Thursday for its next trip, a 10-day journey that will see it stop once again at Prince Rupert at 7 a.m. on July 9.

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According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, norovirus spreads easily and quickly through direct contact with an infected person, as well as through touching contaminated surfaces or eating contaminated food.

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The main symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, and vomiting. Symptoms may start as soon as 12 hours after exposure, but most people feel better within two to three days.

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The agency notes that the best ways to prevent infection include hand washing, disinfecting surfaces after illness and following general food safety practices.

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In a statement to ABC7, Princess Cruises said that the ship’s crew responded promptly and implemented “enhanced sanitation protocols across the ship.”

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The company added that the ship will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before departing on its next trip.

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CDC records show the most recent outbreak of norovirus is the seventh to occur on a cruise ship this year, and the third on a cruise operated by Princess Cruises.

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This is not an unusually high number. In 2023, for example, the CDC recorded 13 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.

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Previous outbreaks this year occurred in March on Star Princess and at the end of April into May, on Caribbean Princess.

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National Post has reached out to Princess Cruises for comment.

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