The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that at 125 people aboard a cruise ship reported symptoms during a norovirus outbreak. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
July 2 (UPI) -- More than 120 people aboard a ship operated by Princess Cruises reported symptoms of norovirus, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.
The Ruby Princess was on a 20-day voyage along western North America when 102 passengers and 23 crew members on board reported gastrointestinal illness during the outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement.
The outbreak was first reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program on June 28, according to the federal health agency.
Norovirus, a highly contagious virus, is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States, according to the CDC. It causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, and is sometimes called the stomach flu.
