Media: Suspected norovirus sickens 100+ aboard Ruby Princess

More than 100 passengers and 23 crew members aboard the cruise ship Ruby Princess have fallen ill in a suspected norovirus outbreak, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated.

This marks the third such incident involving the cruise line this year, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Guardian.

The Ruby Princess departed San Francisco on June 12 for a voyage to Alaska and Canada and was scheduled to return on July 2.

The CDC said it was notified of the outbreak more than two weeks into the trip after the number of reported cases exceeded the agency's outbreak threshold of 3% of passengers.

The vessel was carrying 3,032 passengers and 1,144 crew members.

The ship docked in San Francisco on July 2, where it underwent disinfection procedures.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It spreads through contact with contaminated food, surfaces or tiny particles of vomit or faecal matter.

Health officials advise frequent handwashing with soap and water, particularly after using the restroom and before eating, to help prevent infection.

A spokesperson for Princess Cruises did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the possible cause of the outbreak.

Passengers and crew members who became ill have been isolated while sanitation measures are being carried out aboard the vessel.

According to the CDC, six other norovirus outbreaks have been reported on cruise ships so far this year.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov