PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (WSVN) — Cruise line officials have reported there were more than 200 cases of a stomach virus on board a Royal Caribbean ship that returned back to South Florida, Saturday.
Royal Caribbean said 220 cases of the gastrointestinal illness were reported aboard the Independence of the Seas since it departed from Port Everglades on Monday.
A passenger on board the ship told 7News people began to show symptoms on Wednesday.
Those affected by the illness were treated promptly by the ship’s doctors with over-the-counter medication, according to Royal Caribbean. The ship’s staff also took extra measures to minimize the risk of any other passengers getting sick.
Royal Caribbean also encouraged guests and crew to wash their hands frequently to avoid the virus.
The cases represented less than 5 percent of the 5,547 guests and crew on board.
The ship returned to Port Everglades on Saturday morning.
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