Outbreak of stomach flu on cruise ship starts to ease
WAILUKU » The stomach flu outbreak aboard the Pride of Aloha appears to be significantly down from last week, Norwegian Cruise Lines spokeswoman Denise Hayashi said yesterday.
Hayashi said there were 13 passengers and three crew members who have reported symptoms of the stomach flu on a new seven-day cruise in Hawaii.
On the previous cruise last week, about 60 passengers and crew members reported flu symptoms out of 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members, NCL said.
The symptoms generally last 24 hours.
Dr. Lorrin Pang, the state health administrator on Maui, said Pride of Aloha officials have been working with the state to disinfect areas where the passengers have used public facilities, including restrooms at the airport, bus station and harbor.
Three passengers were treated last week for dehydration and released from Maui Memorial Medical Center.
The flu symptoms included diarrhea, nausea, and cramps.
The Pride of Aloha travels on a seven-day tour around the Hawaiian islands, including Kauai, Maui, and Hilo and Kona on the Big Island.