jdstr,
Sorry for your experience. Thankfully, none of our group of 19 got ill.
For what it's worth, Norovirus is not food poisoning, but rather the most common culprit in cruise ship "stomach flu". More than likely, it was contracted on the ship from touching a railing or something of the sort. You may have caught it from touching something in Mexico but more likely it was the ship.
Norovirus is spread by an oral-fecal route. Yuk, but basically, after going to the bathroom when one does not wash their hands thoroughly enough, they can deposit the virus onto objects which are then touched by other people, who subsequently get that virus into their mouth and they become infected.
It is very contagious and spreads rapidly. You can "shed" virus before your symptoms become obvious and that's how it spreads so rapidly.
The cruise lines try to limit infection by first educating the passengers in hand washing and when large groups come together, try to kill any virus that might be on hands with the gel and wipes.
When an outbreak does occur, the best, but most inconvenient, way to limit spread is by quarantine and preventing further transmission by limiting passengers' touching of common objects like the soda bar, ice cream machines and serving utensils.
I noticed that the CMs were constantly cleaning the handrails and elevators as well.
They did an excellent job of containing the virus considering past experience on cruise ships with Norovirus infecting the majority of passengers.
I would reassure any readers that wanted to go to Cabo Wabo that their food or Mexico in general was not as likely a cause of the Norovirus as was the ship/passengers themselves.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions if anyone has any.
Sorry for your experience. Thankfully, none of our group of 19 got ill.
For what it's worth, Norovirus is not food poisoning, but rather the most common culprit in cruise ship "stomach flu". More than likely, it was contracted on the ship from touching a railing or something of the sort. You may have caught it from touching something in Mexico but more likely it was the ship.
Norovirus is spread by an oral-fecal route. Yuk, but basically, after going to the bathroom when one does not wash their hands thoroughly enough, they can deposit the virus onto objects which are then touched by other people, who subsequently get that virus into their mouth and they become infected.
It is very contagious and spreads rapidly. You can "shed" virus before your symptoms become obvious and that's how it spreads so rapidly.
The cruise lines try to limit infection by first educating the passengers in hand washing and when large groups come together, try to kill any virus that might be on hands with the gel and wipes.
When an outbreak does occur, the best, but most inconvenient, way to limit spread is by quarantine and preventing further transmission by limiting passengers' touching of common objects like the soda bar, ice cream machines and serving utensils.
I noticed that the CMs were constantly cleaning the handrails and elevators as well.
They did an excellent job of containing the virus considering past experience on cruise ships with Norovirus infecting the majority of passengers.
I would reassure any readers that wanted to go to Cabo Wabo that their food or Mexico in general was not as likely a cause of the Norovirus as was the ship/passengers themselves.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions if anyone has any.