The CDC has confirmed that a norovirus outbreak has sickened over 230 individuals onboard the Queen Mary 2, which recently completed a round-trip cruise between England and the Caribbean. Measures are being taken to manage and mitigate the spread.
Norovirus Outbreak Affects Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Cruise
Norovirus Outbreak Affects Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Cruise
A significant number of passengers and crew on the Queen Mary 2 luxury cruise ship have reported symptoms consistent with norovirus, prompting rapid health measures.
In a troubling incident on the iconic Queen Mary 2, part of Cunard Lines, more than 230 passengers and crew members have fallen ill due to a norovirus outbreak during a lavish 29-day cruise journey originating from England to the Eastern Caribbean. The outbreak, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), began to manifest on March 18, following a stop in New York City after the ship departed from Southampton on March 8.
According to the CDC, 224 out of the 2,538 people onboard reported experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, alongside 17 members from the ship's crew. The affected individuals have since been isolated, and the vessel has undergone intensive sanitization measures. The luxury cruise ship made additional stops in locations such as St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and Tortola before returning to Southampton, slated for arrival on April 6.
Cunard has assured the public in a statement that their guests are being monitored closely and that the ship is undergoing deep cleaning procedures. They noted, "Thanks to the swift response from our crew and the additional measures we have in place, we are already seeing a reduction in reported cases."
The Queen Mary 2, launched in 2004 and measuring a notable 1,132 feet in length, ranks among the largest ocean liners globally. Echoing previous experiences, a past incident in 2013 on the same vessel required emergency measures after another norovirus outbreak sickened more than 200 people.
Norovirus is known for its resilience in confined spaces such as cruise ships, healthcare facilities, and dormitories, infecting an estimated 21 million individuals in the U.S. annually, as per CDC estimates. The contagious illness spreads via contact and contaminated food or water, with no established treatment; most individuals recover within a few days.
While mandatory reporting is required for cruise ships experiencing outbreaks, the CDC has seen a pattern of norovirus incidents on cruises. Recently, cases were confirmed on a Seabourn Encore voyage from Japan, and a Holland America ship reported an outbreak confined to passengers and crew during a trip from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean.
