Ocean Liner Docks In NYC Following Virus Outbreak; Passengers Stricken With Norwalk-Type Virus

NEW YORK -- More than 300 people aboard a North Atlantic cruise ship became sick with a Norwalk-type virus, causing the vessel to cut its voyage short and head for New York on Tuesday.

At least 322 passengers fell ill during an outbreak aboard the Regal Princess, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said.

The ship, which began its 16-day voyage in Copenhagen, Denmark, docked at Pier 92 on the Hudson River at 6 a.m. Tuesday, cutting its voyage short by two days.

Julie Beson, a spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, said, "There were incidents of gastrointestinal illness. We immediately put measures into place that we developed with the CDC to stop the virus."

She said the cruise liner dispatched sanitation teams trained in sanitation procedures to disinfect the ship during the voyage, "everything from elevators buttons to handrails," she said.

"We suspect that because of the pattern of the illness that one or two passengers probably unknowingly or unwittingly brought this on board," added Beson.

The ship, carrying 1,528 passengers, set out Aug. 18 and stopped in Britain and Ireland, then left for Iceland. As it prepared to go to the open sea, passengers and crew became more ill, prompting the decision to skip a stop in Newfoundland.

Members of the CDC's vessel sanitation program were expected to board the ship in New York to investigate the outbreak's cause.

The virus -- which includes Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses -- caused thousands of cruise ship passengers to fall ill last year. It can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for 24 to 48 hours.

The viruses are spread through food and water and close contact with infected people or things they have touched.

The Regal Princess, according to the CDC Web site scored above average in its last inspection.

http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_245073923.html

The Barf Boat
Sep 2, 2003 7:33 am US/Eastern

A North Atlantic cruise ship with at least 322 passengers and crew sickened with a Norwalk-type virus over the past few days docked in New York Harbor this morning, cutting its voyage short by two days.

Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said an outbreak of the virus had occurred on the Regal Princess, which was bound for New York from Copenhagen, Denmark on a 16-day trip.

The ship set out on its cruise on Aug. 18 and stopped in several locations in Britain and Ireland, then left for Reykjavik, Iceland. But as the ship prepared to go to the open sea, passengers and crew became more ill, prompting the decision to go directly to New York instead of stopping over in Newfoundland.

The Regal Princess was expected to dock at Pier 92 at 55th Street and 12th Avenue at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday, U.S. Coast Guard officials said.

When the ship docks, members of the CDC's vessel sanitation program are expected to board the ship to find out the cause of the outbreak.

The Regal Princess, according to the CDC Web site scored above average in its last inspection.

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