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“Queen Victoria” at the harbor in Hamburg-Altona
Photo: Hanno Bode / IMAGO
More than 100 passengers and crew members of the Cunard Cruise Line cruise ship Queen Victoria have fallen ill at sea, according to a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several US media outlets, including the New York Post, first reported on the case.
According to the report, 139 people on board - 123 passengers and 16 crew - reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. The cruise company has therefore increased cleaning and disinfection measures and isolated sick passengers and crew members. The cause of the disease is apparently not yet known. There are a total of 1,824 passengers and 967 crew members on board.
“The measures have had an effect”
The Queen Victoria is on a 107-day voyage that began January 11 from Southampton, England. The current leg of the trip began Jan. 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is scheduled to end Feb. 12 with stops in Aruba, Guatemala, Cabo San Lucas, San Francisco and Hawaii, according to Cunard's website.
In a statement to CNN, Cunard Cruise Line said: "Cunard confirms that a small number of guests have reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness on board Queen Victoria. The cruise line immediately implemented its enhanced health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all guests and crew on board. The measures have had an effect.«
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