Latest news with #norovirus
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
More than 140 fall ill with unexplained virus on cruise ship
An investigation has been launched after more than 140 people fell ill with a painful vomiting bug on a cruise and passengers fell ill and had to be isolated on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship between July 4 and 11. The Navigator of the Seas was carrying 3,194 passengers on a seven-night cruise and was heading from Los Angeles to Mexico when people started to fall ill. Seven members of crew and 134 passengers started vomiting, suffering abdominal cramps and having diarrhoea. A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said: "The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.' READ MORE: How to watch Man Utd v Leeds United on TV: Live stream and start time READ MORE: Major Coronation Street star's exit follows huge twist in robbery storyline The US Centers for Disease Control has taken samples and is investigating the cause of the outbreak. The symptoms match acute gastroenteritis (AGE). caused by norovirus. Norovirus has been responsible for most of the 18 gastrointestinal disease outbreaks on ships this year. The CDC said: "Norovirus is often a cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation. "Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time. When an outbreak occurs, people whose symptoms met the case definition are asked to provide stool or vomitus samples." It added: "These samples are tested to determine the causative agent. In this outbreak, samples are pending confirmatory testing." Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It's one of the most common causes of foodborne illness and can affect people of all ages. Symptoms usually appear 12–48 hours after exposure and include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, fever, headache and body aches Symptoms typically last 1–3 days, but people can remain contagious for several days after symptoms stop. Prevention: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water (hand sanitiser is less effective); disinfect contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaners; avoid preparing food for others while sick and for at least 2–3 days after recovery There is no specific treatment for norovirus; management focuses on hydration and rest. In severe cases (especially in young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals), hospitalisation may be necessary due to dehydration.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Mystery outbreak affects passengers aborad Royal Caribbean cruise
Over 140 people aboard Royal Caribbean 's Navigator of the Seas, including 134 passengers and seven crew members, became ill with vomiting and diarrhea during a round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico. The outbreak occurred after the ship departed from Los Angeles on July 4, with the vessel docking in Puerto Vallarta on July 8 and returning to Los Angeles on July 11. Passengers who reported illness were isolated, and the ship underwent a thorough cleaning, with stool samples also collected for testing. The CDC has not yet determined the cause of the outbreak, though vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of norovirus. This incident follows a similar outbreak last September, when 180 people became sick on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas during an Alaska cruise.
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The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
140 people struck down by mystery illness on board Royal Caribbean ship that departed from LA
More than 140 people aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seassuddenly got sick with vomiting and diarrhea during a round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico. The outbreak affected 134 passengers and seven crew members after the ship departed from LA on July 4. The vessel docked in Puerto Vallarta on July 8 and returned to Los Angeles on July 11. Passengers who reported illness were isolated, and the ship was thoroughly cleaned. It can hold up to 3,300 guests, according to The Sun. Stool samples were also collected for testing, according to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program. The CDC has not yet determined the cause of the outbreak. The Independent has contacted Royal Caribbean and the CDC for comment. Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of norovirus, commonly known as the stomach flu. It can also cause fever, headache, and body aches, with most people recovering within one to three days. This outbreak follows a similar incident last September when 180 people became sick on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas during an Alaska cruise. Navigator of the Seas, which debuted in 2002 and was refurbished in 2019, regularly sails from Los Angeles to Mexican destinations. The ship, which can carry over 3,380 guests at capacity, features 17 bars, over 12 dining options, three pools, six whirlpools, and attractions like a rock climbing wall, surf simulator, ice rink, escape room, and a waterslide.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctor warns against washing your clothes in this water temperature: ‘It's a big deal'
When it comes to doing laundry, there are many rules to follow — yet one of the most important ones is what you set your water temperature to when doing a wash. One expert said the hot and cold settings are the two best options — and discourages washing in warm water. To fully kill nasty germs and any bacteria living on your clothes, Dr. Xand van Tulleken recommended on BBC Morning Live that you wash your garments at 60 degrees Celsius, 140 degrees Fahrenheit — which is considered the hot setting. 'At 60 degrees, certain bugs will be killed, and that can be quite good,' he said. 'So, if you've got an infection around your house, particularly norovirus, put it up at 60, along with the mechanical cleaning and the detergent.' Tulleken said the warm setting is a silly option as he doesn't see the point of it. '…it's too hot to be cheap, and it's too cold to kill [germs].' 20 degrees Celsius, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the cold water setting — which Tulleken is all for. 'I've gotta say, I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes, which go in hotter.' Aside from protecting your delicates, washing your clothes in cool water can also save you some money. '20 degrees saves 62% of your money compared to 40 degrees [104 degrees Fahrenheit], so that is a big deal…' he explained. Like with many appliances, washing machines should periodically be cleaned — especially if you often wash in cold water. 'If your machine has a cleaning cycle, which runs it at a high temperature, do that according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then air it out.' Aside from washing clothes at the wrong temperature — other common laundry mistakes most people make include putting in too much detergent. 'If you add too much to the appliance, it will often require additional time to spin and drain away any excess water and detergent residue,' appliance repair expert Ian Palmer-Smith told the Daily Mail. Overcrowding your machine so that it becomes unbalanced is another one. 'With washing machines becoming more sophisticated, they are able to detect if the load is unbalanced. If it is, this can often result in additional minutes being added,' the expert explained. 'This is a really easy mistake to avoid by distributing your laundry evenly in the drum,' Palmer-Smith continued. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Royal Caribbean cruise turns into nightmare as 140 passengers get sick
A Royal Caribbean cruise turned into a health crisis for over 140 people aboard the luxury cruise line after a mysterious gastrointestinal illness struck during a voyage. Seven crew members and 134 passengers aboard the Navigator of the Seas reported symptoms like vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea during the week-long cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The exact cause of the outbreak remains undetermined, leaving health officials to investigate. In response, the popular cruise company implemented enhanced cleaning measures, including isolating those affected and increasing onboard sanitation protocols, the CDC confirmed. 'The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,' a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group, the line's parent company, told USA TODAY. 'To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines,' the statement continued. This incident is part of a broader trend, with 18 gastrointestinal outbreaks reported on cruise ships in 2025 that met the CDC's threshold for public notification - when at least 3 percent of the crew or guests have any highly contagious symptoms. However, most of these outbreaks have been linked to norovirus - a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. 'Norovirus is often a cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation. Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time,' the CDC said in a statement. Royal Caribbean is no stranger to such outbreaks. In February 2025, over 90 passengers on a different Royal Caribbean cruise - Radiance of the Seas - also experienced symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. Despite the prevalence of such incidents on cruise ships, the CDC maintains that these outbreaks represent only 1 percent of all reported gastrointestinal illnesses. However, with a newly dominant strain of norovirus circulating both on land and at sea, health officials are closely monitoring the situation. 'CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land,' the agency said in an emailed statement. 'Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.'
