Over 200 passengers and crew members on the luxury cruise ship Queen Mary 2, operated by Cunard Lines, have reportedly fallen ill due to a norovirus outbreak, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as per an American news daily.

As per reports, 224 passengers and 17 crew members have experienced symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. The ship, carrying a total of 2,538 passengers and 1,232 crew members, is currently sailing in the North West Atlantic Ocean and heading towards Southampton.

Cunard Lines reportedly stated on Tuesday that the ship has undergone deep cleaning, and affected passengers are under close observation. The company also mentioned that due to swift action taken by the crew and additional safety measures, the number of reported cases is already declining.

Queen Mary 2 departed from Southampton on March 8 for a 29-day round-trip to the Eastern Caribbean, which is set to conclude on April 6. The outbreak was first reported when the ship stopped in New York on March 15. It has since made stops in destinations like St Lucia, Barbados, and Dominica, according to tracking data.

Symptoms of Norovirus

Common symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramping. The virus can sometimes lead to low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. These symptoms usually begin one or two days after being infected.

Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with infected individuals. Often called the stomach flu, norovirus outbreaks are common in crowded places like cruise ships, schools, and nursing homes.

According to the CDC, outbreaks can occur throughout the year, but they are most common between November and April.

The highly contagious virus, which sickens an estimated 19 million to 21 million people nationwide each year, can cause sudden and unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, the CDC said.