Norovirus and hantavirus outbreaks on cruise ships raise alarms. Here's what you need to know

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess, a cruise ship bound for Florida. The report comes as many travelers prepare for upcoming trips, including families departing from the Port of Los Angeles. Passengers said they are looking forward to their vacations despite the risks associated with close quarters at sea. Still, many travelers acknowledge illnesses can spread easily on cruise ships and say they are taking steps to protect themselves."

""We're washing our hands if we have something available. If not, we have hand sanitizer on us all the time," one traveler said. Health experts emphasize basic precautions remain effective in preventing the spread of disease. "Most common sense measures still work," said Dr. Suman Radhakrishna, an infectious disease specialist with Dignity Health California Hospital."

"Concerns have also been fueled by an ongoing investigation into a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch-based cruise ship. Radhakrishna noted the overall risk to the public remains very low, despite the severity of the illness. "When you talk about up to 40 to 50% mortality rate, it means 1 out of 2 people could die from hantavirus," Radhakrishna said."

"The World Health Organization is investigating 13 cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus, resulting in three deaths. It is the only known strain of hantavirus that can spread from person to person. Symptoms typically resemble the flu, including fever, headache and muscle aches, but differ in certain ways. "The one thing for sure that they don't have is that runny nose and the sore throat," Radhakrishna said."

A norovirus outbreak was reported aboard the Caribbean Princess, a cruise ship traveling to Florida. Health officials are monitoring outbreaks and reminding travelers to take precautions because illnesses spread easily in close quarters at sea. Passengers described using handwashing and carrying hand sanitizer to reduce risk. Infectious disease guidance emphasizes that common-sense measures remain effective. Separately, an investigation is ongoing into a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch-based cruise ship. The overall risk to the public is described as very low, despite the illness severity. The World Health Organization is investigating Andes strain cases with person-to-person spread, and symptoms resemble flu-like illness without runny nose or sore throat.

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