FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Pride of Hawaii sat docked yesterday at Pier 2 in Honolulu Harbor, ending a seven-day interisland cruise during which 220 passengers became ill with stomach flu-like symptoms. Samples from the ship tested positive for the norovirus.
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Virus hits 220 on isle cruise
Stomach flu-like symptoms appear for many soon after the ship sails Nov. 5
STORY SUMMARY »
Passengers disembarked from the Pride of Hawaii at Honolulu's Pier 2 yesterday, many with grim tales of nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea from a pesky virus that kept them confined to their cabins.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be investigating the outbreak of the norovirus, also called the Norwalk virus, that affected about 220 passengers, about 9 percent of the total.
Norovirus can be spread from hand to hand or through food. Several passengers leaving the pier said those who were afflicted were told to put themselves under quarantine for at least 24 hours and to wash their hands frequently.
That is what befell Donna Miller, 50, of Beloit, Ohio, who said she kept to her stateroom for two days, drinking Gatorade and taking medication supplied by the on-board clinic.
"Even though I was sick, they made it work for everyone," Miller said. "It wasn't their fault. They took care of everyone as best they could."
The stomach flu-like symptoms began soon after the ship set sail Nov. 5 from Honolulu on a seven-day interisland cruise. Miller said the line leading to the clinic snaked down the passageway.
Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line said the ship has been carrying out "an extensive range of preventative measures" and does not expect the virus to be an ongoing problem.
But NCL said it would give passengers booked on this week's cruise the option of canceling.
FULL STORY »
About 220 passengers, some with confirmed cases of norovirus, or stomach flu, reported they were ill on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Hawaii, which docked yesterday in Honolulu.
The seven-day interisland cruise left Nov. 5. The next day, some passengers started reporting to the medical center with stomach flu-like symptoms, including nausea, stomach cramps and mild diarrhea.
The state Department of Health tested some samples from the cruise ship last week that came back positive for norovirus, which causes stomach flu, said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
Several passengers leaving Pier 2, where the cruise ship docked yesterday, said sick passengers were told to put themselves under quarantine for at least 24 hours and to wash their hands frequently.
Crew members wrapped food in buffet lines with plastic wrap and served passengers instead of allowing self-service.
Donna Miller, 50, of Beloit, Ohio, said the line going to the medical center filled the hallways.
She said she quarantined herself to her cabin for two days, drinking Gatorade and taking medication supplied by the medical center.
"Even though I was sick, they made it work for everyone," Miller said. "It wasn't their fault. They took care of everyone as best they could."
AnneMarie Mathews, NCL director of public relations, said officials did not believe the issue would carry on to the next cruise.
Passengers on the current cruise, which left last night, were notified of the outbreak and given the option not to sail, the cruise line said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Honolulu office will be investigating the case.
Health experts said it is important for people to use good hand-washing and other hygienic practices after they have recovered from norovirus illness.
The Centers for Disease Control said about 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis are due to norovirus infections each year. It is now believed that at least 50 percent of all food-borne outbreaks of stomach flu can be attributed to noroviruses.
Outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis have occurred in places where people have consumed water or food prepared by others, including restaurants, cruise ships, nursing homes, hospitals and schools.
An outbreak of norovirus affected more than 245 people aboard the cruise ship Sun Princess in February 2003 as it went through a 15-day cruise from Los Angeles to Hawaii.
Star-Bulletin reporter Laurie Au contributed to this report.
Norovirus facts
Norovirus, sometimes known as Norwalk virus from an outbreak at an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1968, is a highly contagious germ, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
» People can become infected in several ways, including eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with the virus, touching contaminated surfaces and then placing hands in the mouth, sharing utensils with someone who is ill, or having direct contact with a contaminated person.
» People working with food who have norovirus can pass it on and contaminate food.
» Symptoms usually start 24 to 48 hours after ingestion or exposure but can occur as early as 12 hours. Some people are contagious from three days to two weeks.
» Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Some people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
» The illness, often starting suddenly with the person feeling sick, is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about one or two days.
» The disease usually is not serious, but sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids lost because of vomiting and diarrhea, causing them to become dehydrated and requiring special medical attention. Dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
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