123 passengers sickened aboard cruise ship: CDC

More than 100 passengers and crew aboard a Queen Victoria cruise ship have fallen sick with a gastrointestinal illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

The Cunard Line ship departed Jan. 22 and is set to return Feb. 12, the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) said.

Among the ship’s 1,824 total passengers, 123 have reported being ill during the voyage. Of the 967-person crew, 16 have also become ill. The cases are for the entire trip so far and don’t represent the number of active cases.

The cause of the sickness is unknown, but symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.

According to the CDC, the cruise line and crew have reported increased cleaning and disinfection procedures that are in accordance with the ship’s outbreak prevention and response plan. Sick passengers and crew are isolating.

“VSP is remotely monitoring the situation, including reviewing the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures,” the notice said.

According to ABC News, the cruise departed Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and is scheduled to go to San Francisco before ending in Honolulu.

“Cunard confirms that a small number of guests had reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness on board Queen Victoria. They immediately activated their enhanced health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of all guests and crew on board,” the company said in an emailed statement.

Measures taken so far have been effective, the company said.