A cruise ship that docked Thursday morning in San Diego brought more than just passengers. Royal Caribbean confirmed that 22 passengers and two crew members have norovirus.
The Azamara Quest arrived at the Embarcadero just before 5:30a.m. Thursday, finishing up a two week trip from Costa Rica. Those who got sick were treated on board by the ship's doctors and have responded well to medication. There were more than 1,000 passengers and crew on the ship.
It's not known how the norovirus outbreak started, but it's typically spread through contaminated food and water. It causes vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and is highly contagious. It occurs most frequently in close, crowded areas including hospitals, nursing homes, daycares and cruise ships.
This particular ship is scheduled to depart on another cruise Thursday afternoon, and Royal Caribbean says it will be thoroughly cleaned before embarks again.
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