Virus infected cruise ship returns to Charleston, SC

It was the third time in as many trips that the Celebrity Cruise ship Mercury left and returned to Charleston, SC with travelers hoping to escape the winter for a week in the Caribbean. However, it was also the third time in as many trips that the ship was the site of a virus outbreak.

Through tests, norovirus has been linked as the culprit, yet again, for the 364 passengers who came down with an intestinal illness during the voyage. Over 400 people got sick the first time and just under 200 got sick the time after that.

The ship was at sea when passengers began coming down with norovirus. Symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and usually lasts for several days. The ship had to miss at least one stop in order to turn around and return to Charleston, SC because of the epidemic.

The virus is especially hard to get rid of because it can be transmitted for up to two weeks. Furthermore, close quarters like that on a ship contribute to epidemic-type conditions. South Carolina has seen about twice as many norovirus victims this year than usual.

Email This Story To A Friend