Ruby Princess Cruise Ship Experiences Second Illness Outbreak in Consecutive Voyages
The cruise ship docked in Alaska with seven individuals isolated due to gastroenteritis, following a larger norovirus outbreak on its previous trip.
The Ruby Princess cruise ship docked in Haines, Alaska, on Monday, encountering its second outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness within consecutive voyages. Seven individuals, comprising six crew members and one passenger, were isolated after falling ill with acute gastroenteritis.
Princess Cruises stated it has intensified disinfection protocols and is coordinating health measures with shore excursion operators. This latest incident occurred just days after the same ship experienced a more significant outbreak on its preceding voyage from San Francisco to Alaska, where 125 out of 4,176 passengers and crew were affected by norovirus.
The vessel underwent disinfection before the current passengers boarded. Monday's arrival marked the third instance this year a cruise ship carrying individuals with an active gastrointestinal outbreak has called at Haines.
Norovirus is identified as the primary cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illnesses in the United States and is frequently the virus behind outbreaks on cruise ships. The Ruby Princess had previously been forced to dock in San Francisco due to a norovirus outbreak that sickened 120 passengers and crew.