Luxury liner is disinfected after norovirus afflicts 530 passengers

A luxury ocean liner is being scrubbed and disinfected after the Carnival Liberty cruise ship docked in a Florida port. Nearly 700 passengers and crew fell ill on its Atlantic crossing.

Fourteen passengers and five crew were ill and in isolation when the ship arrived at Port Everglades in Florida. Some passengers were taken off the ship in wheelchairs.

Preliminary tests identified the source of the outbreak as the highly contagious norovirus, which had struck several passengers just before they boarded the cruise on 3 November in Rome.

According to Carnival Cruise Lines, more than 530 passengers and 140 crew reported to the infirmary with diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach cramps.

Those who fell ill were quarantined in their cabins. "They brought us 7-Up, bottled water, ice and a diet of rice, though you didn't feel like eating" said Jim Lankes, 48, of Phoenix.

Norovirus's symptoms usually last for one or two days. It spreads through contaminated food or liquids or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The Liberty's departure for the Caribbean has been delayed until tomorrow.

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