The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed another norovirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship, bringing the total number of such outbreaks this year to 21.
The latest outbreak was reported aboard the cruise ship AIDAdiva, operated by Aida Cruises.
The CDC report said the virus affected 95 passengers and 6 crew members aboard the AIDAdiva, who showed symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. There were a total of 2,007 passengers and 640 crew members on the ship.
In response to the outbreak, Aida Cruises told the CDC that it has increased efforts to clean and disinfect the entire ship. He also isolated sick passengers and crew and collected stool samples for testing.
“Seasonal illnesses peak between November and April, and the AIDAdiva report reflects infection patterns on land,” a cruise ship spokesman told USA Today, adding, “Therefore, we have added additional hygiene protocols on board and cases are already declining.”
What other ships reported sightings earlier this year?
The outbreak aboard AIDAdiva is the latest to be reported to the CDC, with the last such outbreak occurring aboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Insignia in October.
Before that, 19 more outbreaks were reported in 2025. These are the following:
Norovirus infection: risk factors, symptoms
Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis and is sometimes referred to as winter vomiting disease.
Transmission of norovirus usually occurs via the fecal-oral route and could occur through contaminated food, water or even personal contact, and risk factors include unsanitary food preparation and close contact with infected individuals.
Norovirus infection can also spread through contaminated surfaces or through air that comes into contact with the vomit of an infected person.
Symptoms of norovirus infection typically include non-bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. In some cases, fever or headache may also occur.
These symptoms usually develop within 24 hours of exposure, while recovery usually takes two to three days.
