Hygiene Nightmare: 76 Passengers Fall Ill on Cruise Ship Amid Virus Outbreak

A recent cruise aboard Holland America’s MS Westerdam has turned into a health scare as nearly 80 people reported illness due to a suspected norovirus outbreak. This incident, which occurred while the ship made a stop at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong on February 27, has prompted health officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

According to the Centre for Health Protection, out of the approximately 2,000 passengers and 800 crew members on board, 76 individuals—38 males and 38 females aged between 24 and 92—presented symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, shortly after setting sail on February 15. Among the affected, 65 were passengers and 11 were crew members.

The situation escalated after two passengers who fell ill initially boarded the ship in Japan on February 15, showing symptoms on the same day. As the cruise ship traveled through various ports in Japan, Korea, and Shanghai, additional cases of illness began to emerge. Reports indicated that some affected individuals were so ill they vomited in public areas on the ship, although the majority experienced mild symptoms and remained stable under care.

In response to the outbreak, health officials implemented enhanced sanitation measures and conducted a more thorough deep cleaning of the ship before it continued its voyage to the Philippines. Dr. Edwin Tsui emphasized the need for heightened awareness regarding hygiene practices among cruise passengers and operators, especially given the rising norovirus activity in regions like Japan and Korea.

This incident marked at least the second outbreak of norovirus on a Holland America ship within the first three months of 2026. A previous outbreak in January aboard the Rotterdam ship affected nearly 90 passengers and crew members during a Caribbean voyage.

Norovirus is known to cause food poisoning and acute gastroenteritis, with symptoms that generally include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and low-grade fever. While the symptoms can be discomforting, they are typically self-limiting, and most individuals recover within one to three days. Transmission can occur through contaminated food, contact with infected persons’ vomit or excreta, and contact with contaminated surfaces.

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