More than 140 passengers and crew members aboard the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Navigator of the Seas experienced a gastrointestinal illness during a recent voyage. The outbreak occurred from July 4 to July 11, as the ship traveled from Los Angeles to several destinations in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, before returning to Los Angeles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 134 out of 3,914 passengers reported symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Additionally, seven of the 1,266 crew members also fell ill. The CDC was notified of the outbreak on July 11, the same day the ship returned from its trip.

In response to the outbreak, the crew implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. They also collected stool samples from those who reported feeling unwell and isolated affected individuals. Royal Caribbean International emphasized that the health and safety of guests and crew are their top priorities. The cruise line stated, "To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines."

The specific cause of the gastrointestinal illness remains under investigation. The CDC noted that norovirus is often responsible for such outbreaks on cruise ships, but the exact agent causing this incident has not yet been identified. The agency explained, "Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time."

Individuals with gastrointestinal illness are encouraged to provide stool or vomit samples for testing to help determine the cause. Norovirus is highly contagious and can lead to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and body aches. It can be contracted through contaminated food or liquids, contact with infected individuals, or touching contaminated surfaces.

Most people recover from norovirus within one to three days, but they can still spread the virus for two weeks or more after symptoms subside. The CDC advises that proper handwashing and thorough cleaning of fruits, vegetables, and shellfish can help prevent infection. Those who become ill should remain isolated for at least two days after symptoms cease.

As of now, the samples collected from the Navigator of the Seas outbreak are pending confirmatory testing.