A cruise ship has been locked down after more than 120 people on board are thought to have contracted norovirus.
The Ruby Princess is now undergoing sanitation protocols off the coast of California, US, near San Francisco.
Some 102 of the ship’s 3,032 passengers have presented with symptoms of the vomiting bug, as have 20 crew members.
The ship, owned by tour operator Princess Cruises, set off on June 12 on a 20-day round trip including stops in Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
But an outbreak of the disease, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, was reported on June 28 and the ship returned to the US on July 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The public health body said: ‘Vessel Sanitation Program [VSP] is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures.’
Princess Cruises has increased cleaning and disinfection protocols and collected samples from the people reporting symptoms.
How do you catch norovirus and what should you do if you have it?
Norovirus is also known as the winter vomiting bug, but you can get it at any time of year.
Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, consumption of contaminated food or water, or touching infected surfaces and transferring virus particles to your mouth.
The main symptoms usually come on suddenly and include:
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Tummy pain
- Body aches and pains
While norovirus is unpleasant, it usually gets better on its own in around two days – although you can still be infectious for 48 hours after symptoms subside.
The most important thing is to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You should also aim to get plenty of rest and avoid going to work or school, and try to eat when you feel able to.
Paracetamol can help with headaches and body pains.
It has also isolated anyone showing signs of having contracted the disease. The company said: ‘Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of guests reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the 20-day June 12 Ruby Princess voyage from San Francisco.
‘Our crew responded promptly by implementing enhanced sanitation protocols across the ship, and cases have since decreased and remain low.’