The cruise ship Island Princess arrived today at its home port Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 78 people stricken with norovirus symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the code red was implemented when 3.26% of the total passengers onboard were affected and 0.78% of the crew personnel. A CDC environmental health officer and one epidemiologist boarded the Princess cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale in order to conduct an environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak aboard. This is the first cruise ship in 2018, arriving in the United States port, to be affected by norovirus.

Following the Vessel Sanitation Program, Island Princess crew has implemented the necessary procedures to try to contain the spread of the virus. Affected passengers were isolated in their cabins and are being treated on board by the ship’s doctors with over-the-counter medication

Island Princess departed Los Angeles on January 9, for a 15 Nights Panama Canal - Ocean to Ocean cruise with final destination Fort Lauderdale.