There has been a norovirus outbreak onboard a Princess Cruise. Hundreds fell ill that forced passengers and crew members to evacuate the ship. Norovirus is a dangerous illness that can lead to serious and sometimes deadly complications.

About Norovirus

Norovirus infection occurs most frequently in closed and crowded environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, childcare centers, schools, and cruise ships. Because there are multiple strains of the virus and the fact that the body does not produce a strong immune response to the infection, experts believe it is possible to contract norovirus infection more than once in a lifetime.

Norovirus Symptoms

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting typically begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Symptoms last one to three days and most people recover completely without treatment. However, for some people such as infants, older adults and people with an underlying disease the vomiting and diarrhea can be severely dehydrating and require medical attention.
Signs and symptoms of norovirus infection include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Watery or loose diarrhea
• Malaise
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle pain

An infected person can still be contagious for up to two weeks or even several months. Some people with norovirus infection may show no signs or symptoms. However, they are still contagious and can spread the virus to others.

Complications

For most people, norovirus infection clears up within a few days and isn’t life-threatening. However, children and older adults with compromised immune systems with a norovirus infection can develop severe dehydration, malnutrition, and even death. Parents should be aware that a child with a norovirus infection may cry with few or no tears due to dehydration. They may also be unusually sleepy or fussy.
Warning signs of dehydration include:

• Fatigue
• Dry mouth and throat
• Listlessness
• Dizziness
• Decreased urine output

Princess Norovirus Outbreak

The Princess cruise left for a 12-night excursion with 2,000 passengers when a norovirus outbreak spread across the ship. Almost 300 people started developing nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The ship had to stay in port while cleaning of the ship occurred. Many passengers decided to go home instead of continuing the trip. This is not the first norovirus princess outbreak. In 2017, a virus spread and got almost 100 passengers ill. Just this year, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was also forced to return to Florida one day early after 277 passengers and crew got sick from the gastrointestinal bug.

Don’t Wait to Get Help After an Injury

If you, your child, or your relative suffered a cruise ship related injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you disembark, your next step should be to get experienced legal help from a knowledgeable attorney.
At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused negligence. Given that lawsuits against cruise ships are in a venue favorable to the cruise lines, it is incredibly important to have an experienced attorney with ample resources to prosecute your claim. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track record of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free and help you protect your rights. For your complimentary consultation, call our office now.