As if cruises weren’t bad enough, the crew and passengers aboard the Celebrity Summit had to contend with a huge outbreak of suspected norovirus that left nearly 200 sick in May.
The Celebrity Summit cruise sailed from May 15 to May 25, and ended with more than 7% of passengers and 2% of the crew coming down with norovirus, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some 152 passengers and 25 crew members reported suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headaches.
But the numbers given by the CDC could be lower than the actual number of cases. Many others could have suffered from the gastrointestinal illness after disembarking the giant floating nightmare.
Norovirus Sickens 177 on Celebrity Summit: Twelve Gastrointestinal Outbreaks on Cruise Ships So Far This Year https://t.co/3pwDQqM7ho pic.twitter.com/Y7iQBw2iwS
— TheEazyCadet (@EazyCadet) June 4, 2023
The massive outbreak is the twelfth reported gastrointestinal outbreak to take place on a cruise ship in 2023, Insider reported June 5. The disease spreads quickly between humans, usually through contact with surfaces, food, water and people contaminated with vomit and poop, according to the outlet. Due to the speed at which it can spread, norovirus is apparently really difficult to contain once an outbreak starts. (RELATED: ‘It’s Just A Matter Of Time’: Scientists Issue Warning As Deadly, Ebola-Like Virus Spreads)
“Norovirus is sometimes called the ‘stomach flu’ or ‘stomach bug,'” according to the CDC. Despite the similarity in symptoms, norovirus is not related to the influenza virus, and is its own evil little thing that ruins literally everyone’s fun. What makes norovirus even better (said no one, ever) is that hand sanitizers apparently don’t really work against it, and the only cure is to ride it out and stay hydrated.
Also, isn’t norovirus just a natural response to being on a giant floating pile of metal in the middle of the ocean? Or is that just me?