The facts about Norovirus and cruise ship illness

Norwalk Virus and Norovirus are often mentioned in the same breath as ´cruise ship illness´, and reports show that more than 2% of all cruise ship passengers become ill with some type of gastroenteritis or ´stomach flu´ during their holiday.

Norovirus symptoms can last between 1 and 4 days, and can totally ruin the holiday. Passengers can become very ill very quickly and symptoms usually include: stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people also have a fever and others report muscle aching. There are ways of avoiding the disease.

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause the ´stomach-flu´ or gastroenteritis, and the virus has nothing to do with the flu virus. Passengers should be aware that a flu injection will not prevent Norovirus, and the symptoms can come on very quickly. Norovirus may be referred to as food poisoning, but it is not always transmitted in food, and likewise, some types of food poisoning have nothing to do with the Norovirus bug. The symptoms come on suddenly, and it is unlikely to have long-term health effects.

Originally named after Norwalk, Ohio, where there was an outbreak of the virus in the 1970´s, Norovirus can affect thousands of cruise ship passengers each year. The disease spreads quickly through confined areas, and passengers often have to be confined to their cabins to prevent the virus spreading.

How do people contract Norovirus?

Norovirus can be contracted by:

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with Norovirus


• Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with Norovirus, and placing their hand in their mouth


• Having direct contact with a person who is infected and showing symptoms of the disease

Norovirus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout cruise ships. The virus has many different strains which make it difficult for a person´s body to develop a long-lasting immunity, and Norovirus can recur in a person´s lifetime. Due to genetic factors, some people are more likely to become infected and develop serious illness than others.

When do symptoms of Norovirus appear?


Symptoms of Norwalk Virus or Norovirus normally begin about 24 to 48 hours after exposure, but they can appear 12 hours after ingestion. People who have contracted either virus are contagious from the minute they start feeling ill until at least three days after recovery. Some people are contagious for up to two weeks after they have recovered from symptoms. If you have recently recovered from Norwalk Virus or Norovirus it is very important to wash your hands often and thoroughly to prevent further spread of the disease.


What is the treatment for Norovirus?


Norovirus is not bacterial and antibiotics are not effective in treating it. Unfortunately there is no anti-viral medication that works against the Norwalk Virus, and there is currently no vaccine to prevent it. If you are vomiting or have diarrhoea, you should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can cause serious illness if it is not dealt with.
Can I prevent Norovirus infection?


You can lessen the chance of coming into contact with Norwalk Virus or Norovirus on a cruise ship by:

• Frequently washing your hands, especially after using the toilet, changing nappies and before eating or preparing food.


• Use a strong, beach-based cleanser to thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an illness.


• Remove and wash clothing or bedclothes that may be contaminated with the virus after an illness episode.

• Keep the area surrounding the toilet disinfected and clean and make sure there is no vomit or stool left in the bowl.


You should not let the fear of contracting Norovirus prevent you from booking a cruise ship holiday, but you should be aware of the risks.


If you have suffered Norovirus, gastroenteritis or any other illness onboard a cruise ship, you may be able to claim compensation. Contact Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors who specialise in holiday accident and illness compensation claims, and we will give you a free assessment to see if you can claim compensation for your holiday illness. We work on a no win no fee basis and you get 100% of the compensation. Call us free on 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form.

Gastroenteritis and Norovirus on Fred Olsen cruise ship Boudicca

Cruise ship illness

A cruise ship holiday to the Canary Islands has been ruined after hundreds of passengers were struck down with gastroenteritis on board the Boudicca Cruise Ship.


If you would like information about how to make a no win no fee compensation claim contact Farnworth Rose solicitors experts in holiday illness compensation claims phone 08000 154321 or send us your detials here

The ship had set sail from Portsmouth headed towards Gran Canaria, but was forced to return to Britain after the outbreak of the bug, which caused severe vomiting and diarrhoea among many passengers.

One passenger commented: “Just got off the Boudicca this morning with a sick wife suffering from Norovirus. We thought we had got away with not contracting the illness which we understand has affected 40% of the passengers and 10% of the crew but when my wife woke up this morning she suddenly felt very ill. What a journey home!!

There must be a serious problem with this ship as this is the second outbreak in as many months, either the ship is dirty or members of the crew are carrying this bug. This really has been the cruise from hell.”

Operator Fred Olsen Cruises vowed to give the Boudicca, a deep clean, before it sets off again, but this will not help the passengers already affected.

A spokesperson for the cruise company said: "Prior to the ship embarking on her next cruise, a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the vessel will be undertaken, so her departure will be slightly delayed."

They also emphasised the "fastidious hygiene and disinfecting regime" which Fred Olsen Cruises operates.

Last month, a study by Boston Medical School found that on average only one in three toilets on cruise ships are disinfected daily.

Would you be put off going on a cruise by the possibility that there could be an illness lurking on board, or have you suffered a cruise ship illness and not sought compensation? If so, we want to hear from you.

if you suffered gastroenteritis or Norovirus on board the Boudicca Cruise Ship or on any other Cruise Ship during the past two years, we can help you get compensation. For expert advice on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim contact Farnworth Rose Personal Injury Solicitors, who specialise in cruise ship illness claims.

Why not phone 08000 154321 Farnworth Rose Solicitors or click here :www.roseclaims.co.uk to submit a question