A United Airlines flight from Vancouver to Houston experienced a severe outbreak of illness last Friday, affecting 25-30 passengers with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The passengers had all been part of a group cruise, indicating a potential norovirus outbreak on board the ship. The plane was met by emergency personnel in Houston, where three different flights were canceled for thorough cleaning. None of the sick passengers required hospitalization, and there were a total of 163 passengers and six crew members on the flight, with 75 of them having been on the cruise before returning to Texas. Norovirus is a common virus responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms, spread easily through contaminated surfaces, water, or poor hygiene. Proper handwashing, hand sanitizing, and minimizing contact with high-touch surfaces can help prevent norovirus transmission on cruises.
