The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating two apparently unrelated Norovirus outbreaks connected to U.S. cruise ships.
The cases have been traced to Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess and Royal Caribbean International's Radiance of the Seas.
The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is monitoring the "highly contagious" outbreaks after receiving reports of sick passengers.
During the Radiance of the Seas voyage from Tampa to Los Angeles, between April 8 and 22, approximately 67 of the 1,993 passengers fell ill. Two crew members also reported symptoms of illness.
The main symptoms reported among those affected by the Norovirus were diarrhea and vomiting.
On the Sapphire Princess, around 94 of the 2,532 passengers exhibited similar symptoms during its voyage from Los Angeles into the South Pacific. This cruise began on April 5 and is scheduled to end on May 7.
An additional 20 crew members from the Sapphire Princess, out of a total of 1,066, also reported symptoms.
Fox Business reached out to Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International for comments but did not receive a response.
According to the CDC, "Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with Norovirus." The agency notes that Norovirus is sometimes referred to as the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," although it is not related to influenza.
One of the main health risks associated with Norovirus infection is dehydration. The CDC advises that those infected should drink plenty of fluids to help with recovery.
The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program requires cruise lines to report and document cases of illness to ensure a coordinated response in case of an outbreak or emergency.
