101 people fall ill with diarrhoea & vomiting on 133-day world cruise after norovirus breakout

101 passengers and crew members aboard a cruise ship have reported being ill.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an Aida Cruises ship has reported an outbreak of norovirus.

95 of the 2,007 passengers were "reported being ill" during the voyage on the AIDAdiva, while six of the 640 crew members were "reported being ill", the CDC said.

The outbreak was reported on Nov. 30, and the predominant symptoms were diarrhoea and vomiting.

Norovirus has been identified as the causative agent and is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhoea, and food-borne illness in the U.S.

According to the CDC, the outbreak occurs when the virus spreads through direct contact, such as sharing food or utensils.

Food, water and surfaces contaminated with norovirus can also cause outbreaks.

While the CDC states that the cruise's voyage is from Nov. 10 to Dec. 16, the ship is currently on a 133-day world cruise that will end on Mar. 23, 2026.

It will make stops in the U.S, England, Mexico, Japan, South Africa and more.

Actions taken

Following the outbreak, Aida Cruises and the ship's crew have isolated ill passengers and crew and increased cleaning and disinfection procedures.

It also collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing and consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regarding sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases.

"VSP is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures," said CDC.

To help limit the spread of germs, passengers are reminded to wash their hands often, rest and drink plenty of water, and to inform the ship's medical centre if they become ill.

Top photos via AIDA Cruise/website