A gastrointestinal illness outbreak has affected over 140 passengers and crew members aboard the Navigator of the Seas, a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. The incident occurred during a voyage from July 4 to 11, 2023, which included stops in Cabo San Lucas and other locations in Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 134 out of 3,914 passengers and seven out of 1,266 crew members reported symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.
The outbreak was officially reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on July 11. This program monitors and controls the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships, requiring such incidents to be reported promptly. The symptoms primarily experienced by those affected included diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
In response to the outbreak, the crew of the Navigator of the Seas implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures. They collected stool specimens from those who reported illness and isolated affected individuals. The CDC noted that while Norovirus is commonly linked to gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, the specific cause of this outbreak has yet to be determined.
According to the CDC, identifying the causative agent can take time, stating, “Finding the agent that caused an outbreak can take time.” Individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illness are requested to provide samples for testing, which will help determine the source of the outbreak.
Norovirus is known to be highly contagious, capable of causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and body aches. It can be transmitted through contaminated food or liquids, direct contact with an infected individual, or touching contaminated surfaces. Most people recover from Norovirus within one to three days; however, they can still spread the virus for up to two weeks after symptoms cease.
To reduce the risk of contracting Norovirus, the CDC recommends thorough hand washing, as well as washing fruits and vegetables and cooking shellfish properly. Individuals who fall ill are advised to remain isolated for at least two days after symptoms have resolved.
As of now, the samples collected from affected passengers and crew are pending confirmatory testing. Royal Caribbean International has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this outbreak.
