Norovirus Outbreak On Ship Docked In Boston

BOSTON, MA — A cruise ship dealing with a norovirus outbreak that has left dozens of passengers and crew members feeling sick arrived in Boston Monday morning.

At least 88 of 637 and eight of of 391 crew members have reported feeling ill aboard the Oceania Insignia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The norovirus outbreak was first reported Oct. 20, the CDC said.

Since then, the Oceania Insignia has docked in five Canadian ports, Portland, Maine, and now Boston, according to the website CruiseMapper.

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The city of Portland reported only eight passengers were sick when the Oceania Insignia arrived there.

"City officials do not believe there is any reason for the public to be alarmed, and have received no indications that the ship should be prevented from docking," a post on the city's website said. "The ship is following all U.S. CDC recommended control measures, including quarantining sick passengers on the ship when docked and implementing heightened cleaning and disinfection on board."

In response to the outbreak, the Oceania Insignia crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing, isolated ill passengers and crew consulted with the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program about cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases.

Norovirus is common and very contagious, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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"It causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea," the Cleveland Clinic said. "Your symptoms may be similar to the stomach flu, but they have a different cause. Norovirus spreads easily through close contact or on contaminated food or surfaces. The illness runs its course in a few days."

The Oceania Insignia, part of the Oceania Cruises fleet, "blends sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance that embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated ships," according to the company website.

"Every surface of every suite and stateroom is entirely new, while in the public spaces, a refreshed color palette of soft sea and sky tones surrounds a tasteful renewal of fabrics, furnishings and lighting fixtures that exquisitely encompasses the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises," the site said.

The price of the 11-day one-way cruise from Montreal to Boston started at $4,699, according to CruiseMapper.

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