04.07.2026 18:30
A norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the US has caused alarm. After more than 120 passengers and crew fell ill with vomiting and diarrhea on a ship sailing off the coast of California, emergency health protocols were activated and the ship was placed under quarantine.
A cruise ship sailing off the coast of California, USA, has been quarantined due to a norovirus outbreak affecting over 120 passengers and crew. It was reported that the cases have begun to be brought under control following the implementation of emergency hygiene measures on the ship.
125 PEOPLE REPORTED VOMITING AND DIARRHEA
On the Ruby Princess cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises, many passengers experienced gastrointestinal illness during a 20-day voyage covering Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 102 of the 3,032 passengers on board and 23 of the 1,144 crew members showed norovirus symptoms, primarily vomiting and diarrhea. The total number of patients thus reached 125.
It was announced that the ship departed from San Francisco on June 12, the outbreak was reported on June 28, and the voyage ended on July 2.
SHIP PLACED UNDER QUARANTINE
Following the outbreak, the Ruby Princess was quarantined off the coast of San Francisco, California, until comprehensive cleaning and disinfection procedures were completed.
It was stated that the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) remotely monitored the outbreak response and hygiene procedures implemented on the ship. The company collected samples from affected passengers and crew, isolated symptomatic individuals, and worked in coordination with health authorities.
In a statement by Princess Cruises, it was said: "During the 20-day Ruby Princess voyage, a limited number of passengers experienced mild gastrointestinal illness. Our team immediately implemented enhanced hygiene protocols. Cases have decreased and continue to remain at a low level."
The company also announced that the ship would undergo comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before its next voyage.
AN OUTBREAK OCCURRED ON THE SAME COMPANY'S SHIP A FEW MONTHS AGO
The incident on the Ruby Princess brought to mind a similar norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess, also part of the Princess Cruises fleet, a few months earlier.
During a Caribbean voyage between April 28 and May 11, 102 of the 3,116 passengers on board and 13 of the 1,131 crew members fell ill with complaints of vomiting and diarrhea. After the outbreak, affected passengers and crew were isolated, and comprehensive cleaning and disinfection operations were carried out on the ship. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an investigation into the incident, and it was stated that there were no fatalities in the outbreak on the Caribbean Princess.