A norovirus outbreak sickened more than 150 passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship Star Princess during a Caribbean voyage. According to health officials, over 100 passengers and dozens of crew members reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, with the virus identified as the cause of the illness.
In response, the cruise line implemented strict sanitation measures, including isolating sick individuals and increasing disinfection across the ship. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now investigating the outbreak to help control its spread and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Read the article and know more about the situation:
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “Threshold” mean? “The outbreak met the threshold for public notification.” Use this in a sentence.
- What does “Nip it in the bud” mean? “Officials tried to nip the outbreak in the bud by isolating sick passengers.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
- What does “Under the weather” mean? “Some passengers felt under the weather during the trip.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What would you do if you got sick during a cruise like this?
- Do you think cruise ships are safe when it comes to disease outbreaks? Why or why not?
- Would this outbreak stop you from going on a cruise? Explain your answer.
- What lessons can be learned from this incident?