163 Cruise Passengers Fall Ill From Norwalk Virus

November 11, 2002

About 163 passengers aboard the Port Everglades-based cruise ship Amsterdam reportedly fell ill from a foodborne virus on a trip that ended Monday.

The passengers reportedly were ill from Norwalk virus, an intestinal illness that is passed by the feces of infected people. New victims get ill by eating feces-contaminated food or water.

One passenger reportedly had to be hospitalized for dehydration. Infected people usually recover within two or three days with no lonmg-term effects.

Crew members aboard the Holland America ship were spending the day sanitizing the ship after the 1,900 passengers disembarked Monday morning from the Carribbean cruise.

The Amsterdam is scheduled to emark at 5 p.m. Monday on a 10-day Carribbean cruise, provided the crew's cleaning is completed by then.

A spokesman for Holland America could not be reached for comment.

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