Cruise ship locked down after highly contagious virus outbreak infects over 120 passengers and crew

More than 120 passengers and crew members have fallen ill after a norovirus outbreak swept through a cruise ship off the coast of California.

The 951ft-long Ruby Princess is now undergoing enhanced sanitation measures near San Francisco after dozens of people on board reported symptoms of the highly contagious vomiting bug.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 102 of the ship's 3,032 passengers became unwell, along with 20 crew members, marking the third outbreak to hit one of the company’s watercrafts this year.

The Princess Cruises ship had set sail last month (12 June) for a 20-day round trip, with stops in Alaska and Canada's British Columbia, before the outbreak was reported last week (28 June).

It returned to the US on Thursday (2 July).

120 passengers and crew members have fallen ill after a norovirus outbreak on a Princess Cruises ship (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The main symptoms the passengers and crew members complained of were vomiting and diarrhoea, as per the CDC.

The CDC said: "Vessel Sanitation Program [VSP] is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures."

Princess Cruises has since stepped up cleaning and disinfection across the ship, collected samples from those who reported symptoms, and isolated anyone showing signs of illness.

In a statement, the cruise operator said: "Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of guests reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the 20-day June 12 Ruby Princess voyage from San Francisco.

"Our crew responded promptly by implementing enhanced sanitation protocols across the ship, and cases have since decreased and remain low."

Princess Cruises told Tyla in a statement: "Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of guests reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the 20-day June 12 Ruby Princess voyage from San Francisco. Our crew responded promptly by implementing enhanced sanitation protocols across the ship, and cases have since decreased and remain low.

"Ruby Princess arrived in San Francisco the morning of July 2, as scheduled, and will be undergoing comprehensive cleaning and disinfection prior to departing in the afternoon for her next voyage, as scheduled."

The NHS explains that norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

While it can be very unpleasant, it usually gets better in about two days.

The ordeal marks the third outbreak to hit one of the company’s watercrafts this year (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:

• feeling sick
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea

You may also have:

• a high temperature
• a headache
• tummy pain
• body aches and pains

Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be treated at home, and the most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Norovirus is caused by a virus that spreads through poo, and it can spread to others very easily.

You can catch norovirus from:

• close contact with someone with norovirus
• touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
• eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus
• drinking unclean water or infected food

Tyla has reached out to Princess Cruises for comment.