More than 150 individuals aboard a cruise ship have been infected in an outbreak of norovirus, a disease with predominant symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a March 12 statement.
The outbreak occurred aboard Star Princess, which is owned by Princess Cruises. The voyage dates were March 7 to 14, with the ship carrying 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members. Infected individuals included 104 passengers and 49 crew members, CDC said.
In an April 2024 report, the CDC warned that norovirus, sometimes called “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug,” is very contagious, clarifying that norovirus was not related to the flu.
“The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines,” CDC said.
“Most people with norovirus illness get better within one to three days, but they can still spread the virus for a few days after.”
Individuals can contract the infection if they come into direct contact with a person carrying norovirus, consume food or beverages contaminated with norovirus, or touch contaminated objects and surfaces.
“Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus, and people of all ages get infected during norovirus outbreaks. Your likelihood of getting a norovirus infection is also determined in part by your genes,” CDC said.
“If eaten raw, oysters and other filter-feeding shellfish can contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness or death. Anyone who consumes raw shellfish is at risk of contracting norovirus. Children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.”
In its latest statement, the agency said Princess Cruise crew members isolated all ill passengers and staff on board in response to the outbreak. Stool samples from affected individuals were collected for testing.
The ship has implemented increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with the company’s outbreak prevention and response plan. They also consulted with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regarding cleaning procedures and reporting of sick individuals, the agency said.
“Cases reported are totals for the entire voyage. It does not mean all people are sick at the same time, such as when they arrive or leave a port or ship,” CDC clarified.
“VSP is doing a field response to conduct an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to assist the ship in controlling the outbreak.”
The Epoch Times reached out to Princess Cruises for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
Multiple cases of norovirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships have been reported over the past year.
Last December, a norovirus outbreak on an Aida Cruises ship sickened more than 100 individuals. Earlier in October, another outbreak was confirmed among 75 people on an Oceania Cruises ship.
“Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the United States. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines,” according to a May 2024 report from the CDC.
“Norovirus causes 58 percent of foodborne illnesses acquired in the United States,” the agency said. “Each year, there are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States.”
Every year, roughly 19 to 21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths, which typically occur among adults aged 65 and above, are caused by norovirus in the United States, the CDC said.
Individuals most likely to have an outpatient or emergency department visit for an infection are children under 5 and adults aged 85 and older, according to the agency.
In November 2025, the CDC had warned that norovirus cases were rising across the United States. Around 14 percent of tests for the infection came back positive for the week ending Nov. 15, almost double the rate three months earlier, the agency said in a report.
In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, other symptoms of norovirus infection include nausea, stomach pain, headache, fever, and body aches, the CDC said.