Diamond Princess had 150 passengers, who fell sick during a voyage from New Zealand to Sydney, Australia. According to a representative for the Princess Cruises-operated ship, the passengers were suffering from norovirus gastroenteritis and were treated by the vessel’s doctor.
On Monday, more than 150 passengers fell ill while on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Sydney, Australia. According to a statement issued by Diamond Princess cruise, which is owned and operated by Princess Cruises, the passengers were suffering from norovirus gastroenteritis.
According to experts, norovirus infection is characterized by nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in some cases, loss of taste. General lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, headaches, and low-grade fevers may also occur.
There were about 4,000 passengers and crew on the ship, which was a 12-day cruise from New Zealand to Australia. The doctor of the vessel treated all of the passengers, and none of them were hospitalized. Public health director with the South East Sydney Local Health District Professor Mark Ferson said the outbreak was contained, and added:
“There have been 158 passengers and a very small number of crew with gastroenteritis seen at the ship’s medical clinic over the duration of the cruise, and the outbreak is under control. There have been no medical disembarkations or patients requiring hospitalisation.”
One of the passengers, who fell ill, claimed that she believed the virus began spreading because of a traveler, who failed to report feeling sick. The woman stated:
“Somebody had come on five days earlier and hadn’t reported it, so that’s obviously what started it off. When anyone got sick you were supposed to report it to them immediately, then you were quarantined.”
She added:
“I just got sick Monday night, vomiting and gastric Monday night and I was in bed Tuesday.”
Health authorities applauded the ship’s crew for taking measures to control the illness. A passenger, who spoke to local media, also praised the actions taken by the employees by saying:
“We were very well informed; they let us know when there was an outbreak and they informed all the passengers regularly about the measures they were taking to stop the spread. In the restaurants they stopped self-serving and we were served by the attendants, so we weren’t allowed to touch anything. At one stage they had increased numbers, and then they let us know they had it under control.”
Professors Ferson said there will be further cleaning and hygiene procedures taken out before passengers board the ship.
What are your thoughts on the Diamond Princess’ gastro outbreak?
