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102 Passengers, 23 Crew Sick in Ruby Princess Norovirus

7/3/2026

Summary

Ruby Princess Norovirus Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a norovirus outbreak that sickened 102 passengers and 23 crew members on the Ruby Princess.
Princess Cruises staff collected stool samples, isolated the ill, and applied enhanced sanitation after being notified of the outbreak on June 28, 2026.
The ship docked at San Francisco’s Pier 27 on July 2, 2026, where it was disinfected before its next sailing.

Summary

CDC Illness Reporting

CDC Vessel Sanitation Program requires vessels with 13 + passengers to report illnesses 24 hours before U.S. arrival.
CDC reported norovirus caused 17 of the 23 cruise-ship outbreaks in 2025, while seven gastrointestinal outbreaks occurred in 2026, two from E. coli and the rest from norovirus.
Princess Cruises saw 153 cases on Star Princess in March, 160 on Caribbean Princess in May.
Tulane professor Sarah R. Michaels said outbreaks often reflect community transmission.

Summary

**WHO Declares End**

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak officially over, with no new cases since May 25, 2026.
Global health officials evacuated all passengers after the ship docked off the Canary Islands, while the incident infected 13 people and caused three deaths, prompting a WHO-led response.
Two months later the Ruby Princess norovirus outbreak showed consecutive cruise-ship health risks, emphasizing the importance of WHO’s leadership in maritime disease control.

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Ruby Princess Norovirus Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a norovirus outbreak that sickened 102 passengers and 23 crew members on the Ruby Princess.
Princess Cruises staff collected stool samples, isolated the ill, and applied enhanced sanitation after being notified of the outbreak on June 28, 2026.
The ship docked at San Francisco’s Pier 27 on July 2, 2026, where it was disinfected before its next sailing.

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