More than 200 passengers on board a luxury Great Britain-bound cruise ship are ill due to an output on the Norovirus.
At least 224 passengers and 17 crew members have fallen ill on board Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, who is expected to moor in Southampton on Sunday.
The Queen Mary 2 left Southampton on March 8 for a journey of 29 nights visiting ports in the eastern Caribbean and New York City.
But 10 days after the trip, a norovirus outbreaks were reported to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) of the US Center for Disease Control, the government agency reports.
Almost 9 percent of 2,538 passengers on board the ship have fallen ill, as well as 1.4 percent of the 1,232-person crew of the ship.
The CDC says that affected travelers mainly show symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, which are common for the norovirus infection.
Norovirus, usually referred to as the 'stomach bug', is a 'highly contagious virus' that is spread by contaminated food and water and contact person to person.
Most people who are infected with Norovirus will get better within one to three days, but according to the CDC can remain contagious for a maximum of 14 days. The infection can cause gastro -centeritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines and dehydration.
At least 224 passengers and 17 crew members aboard Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 due to diseases due to an outbreak of Norovirus. The Queen Mary 2 is depicted on North Queensferry, Scotland in September last year
The CDC says that affected travelers mainly show symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, which are common for the infection of the norovirus (file photo)
In response to the outbreak of the Norovirus, the Queen Mary 2 crew 'has increased the cleaning and disinfection procedures on the ship in accordance with the ship's outbreak and response plan.
Officials have placed sick passengers and crew in themselves and 'collected relief samples from gastrointestinal health insurance costs for testing,' reports the CDC.
The crew also had coordination with the VSP about 'sanitary cleaning procedures' and 'reporting sick affairs'.
The CDC notes that reported cases contain totals for an entire journey and do not indicate that all passengers were sick at the same time.
The Queen Mary 2 will return to England on Sunday after 29 nights, according to the travel route on the Cunard Line website.
The ship moored in ports in Sint Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St Kitts, the British Virgin Islands and New York City during the trip – which cost passengers at least £ 2,249 per person.
Statermokers vary from £ 2,799 per person for an indoor cabin and up to £ 8,549 for a suite, according to quotes on websites of travel agency.
The Queen Mary 2 (photo) left Southampton on March 8 for a journey of 29 nights visiting ports in the eastern Caribbean and New York City. It will return to England on Sunday
People infected with norovirus usually develop symptoms within 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus.
It is known that the infection causes dehydration, warns the CDC, especially in young children, older adults and people with other diseases.
MailOnline has approached Cunard Line for comment.
