Cunard Confirms December Norovirus Outbreak on Queen of Victoria

Cunard Line said about 133 people suffered from the Norovirus illness while sailing on the line’s newest vessel, the Queen Victoria, on its second sailing. The Queen Victoria was named in Southampton, England, on Dec. 10.

Cunard confirmed the sickness had struck 122 out of 3,000 passengers and 11 crew members on the 16-day trip to the Canary Islands, and that 21 passengers were still sick while the rest had recovered. Cunard also said that the number of new cases is now in decline.

The British company suspects the illness was inadvertently brought onboard by embarking guests on Dec. 21.

Cunard said that its sanitation program was developed in coordination with the U.K. Health Protection Agency and includes such measures as thorough disinfection of high-touch surfaces like railings, door handles and elevator buttons.