Nearly 30 percent of passengers on the Balmoral — a ship operated by United Kingdom-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and most recently docked in Portland, Maine — have been infected with norovirus since the ship's voyage began on April 16, according to CNN.
The ship departed Southampton, England, on April 16 for a journey from "Old England to New England." After receiving reports of instances of gastrointestinal illness, CDC employees boarded the ship in Baltimore on April 30 and conducted an environmental health assessment. The CDC workers were able to confirm the existence of norovirus, according to CNN. The CDC said the ship's infection prevention protocols have been strengthened, and the ship continued its journey along the east coast, undocking most recently from Portland on May 8. Its travels will conclude May 20.
A recent press release from the cruise line stated, "Fred. Olsen has been undertaking extensive sanitization measures and cleaning of the ship, in accordance with its strict illness containment and prevention plan. It is believed that the highly-contagious gastric illness was brought onto the ship...Fred. Olsen is co-operating fully with all the necessary maritime agencies and authorities."
The CDC recently launched an investigation into the outbreak of a gastrointestinal infection that sickened 92 passengers aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship.
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