The Ministry of Public Health confirmed the departure of the cruise Caribbean Princess from Dominican waters after docking in Puerto Plata with a norovirus outbreak on board. The vessel, coming from San Juan, Puerto Rico, applied strict protocols of surveillance and sanitary control before continuing to Nassau, Bahamas.
26 people isolated and stable
At the arrival of the port of Amber Cove, 26 people remained isolated: 21 passengers and five crew members. All were maintaining stable, receiving intravenous hydration without the need for disembarkation. The authorities emphasized that there was no contact with the Dominican population, preventing any spread of the norovirus outbreak.
Measures implemented on the cruise
The crew activated differentiated cleaning, exclusive staff for affected individuals, and food delivery directly to cabins. These actions contained the norovirus outbreak, which began on April 28 and peaked on May 4 with 125 cases of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Context of the norovirus outbreak in cruises
The norovirus, known as the winter vomiting virus, is highly contagious through fecal-oral transmission, commonly affecting cruises due to overcrowding and shared surfaces. According to the CDC, it causes 19-21 million cases annually in the US, with frequent outbreaks on ships. In the Dominican Republic, this incident marks a successful management, similar to protocols applied in previous events.
- Intensive cleaning with approved disinfectants.
- Strict isolation of confirmed cases.
- Continuous monitoring by onboard medical team.
Epidemiology experts highlight that the norovirus outbreak resolves in 1-3 days with support, but the key prevention is rigorous hygiene. Public Health activated its national protocol, coordinating with ports for rapid inspections.
The ship remained hours in port under observation, confirming stability before departing. No case required local attention, preserving public safety in Puerto Plata.
This norovirus outbreak underscores the importance of quick responses in maritime tourism, vital for the Dominican economy.
