Cases of gastro-intestinal illnesses reported aboard Fathom Adonia

Cases of gastro-intestinal illnesses reported aboard Fathom Adonia

Seven more passengers reported illnesses Saturday as the cruise ship
made its way back to its home port in Miami.
MIMI WHITEFIELD
mwhitefield@miamiherald.com

As Carnival's Fathom Adonia cruised to its home port in Miami on
Saturday afternoon after making the first cruise from the United States
directly to Cuba in more than half a century, an outbreak of suspected
Norovirus was reported.

On Friday, after seven passengers reported gastro-intestinal upsets, the
ship's crew put heightened hygiene procedures into effect such as
spritzing guests' hands with sanitizer when they entered and left dining
rooms and immediately wiping down tables.

Guests were advised to thoroughly wash their hands often and avoid
shaking hands.

David Box, the ship's captain, announced to passengers Saturday morning
that there had been an increase in gastro-intestinal illnesses,
"possibly suggestive of Norovirus."

Roger Frizzell, a Carnival spokesman, said there were seven more cases
reported Saturday.

He said Norovirus, which causes vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea,
hadn't been confirmed.

"Of the 14, all have recovered, according to the doctor on the ship. No
new cases have been reported in the last several hours," Frizzell said
on Saturday night.

The ship will get a thorough scrubbing when it reaches Miami early
Sunday, but Frizzell said the outbreak is not expected to delay the
Adonia's trip to the Dominican Republic, which is scheduled to depart
late Sunday afternoon.

Although they were aware of the outbreak, most guests seemed to be
enjoying their last day at sea, sunning themselves and splashing in the
ship's pool Saturday afternoon.

Source: Cases of gastro-intestinal illnesses reported aboard Fathom
Adonia | In Cuba Today -
http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article76422797.html