On Saturday, officials of the Virgin Islands Government were advised by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that 281 passengers and 22 crew members aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Explorer of the Seas, have reported symptoms that resemble norovirus, according to a statement from Government House early Sunday morning.
The vessel, midway through a Jan. 21 – 31, 2014 Caribbean itinerary, is carrying 3,050 guests and 1,165 crew and will make its scheduled port of call in St. Thomas Sunday.. While in port, CDC health officials will evaluate the outbreak and devise response activities, the release said. This includes determining which passengers are free of infection and cleared to disembark, ensuring there is no risk to residents of the Virgin Islands.
Norovirus is extremely contagious and can be contracted from people, contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces. It causes the stomach and intestines to become inflamed resulting in nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States infecting as many as 21 million people a year. In extreme cases it can cause hospitalization or even death. Five to eight hundred people a year die from it, according to the CDC web site.
Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said Saturday night that we are “grateful for CDC’s quick response and look forward to welcoming those passengers that will disembark on St. Thomas Sunday.”
Nicholson-Doty added that officials of the CDC advised the Department of Health of the illness reported on board the vessel and that the ship was being allowed to make its port call on St. Thomas today as scheduled. “As of now, there is no response required by the V.I. Governmentr, however, as a precaution we notified officials in several local departments and agencies of the situation that has affected both passengers and crew on the ship.”
An unofficial source said the CDC officials flew in from San Juan Saturday night.
The ship arrived as scheduled at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
