A Royal Caribbean cruise ship returned to Florida on Saturday after hundreds of passengers contracted a gastrointestinal illness.
During the five-night cruise, 332 cases of the illness were reported, Cruise line spokesman Owen Torres said in a statement. He stressed that it was a small percentage — 6% — of the more than 5,000 passengers and crew on-board the ship, Independence of the Seas.
“Those affected by the short-lived illness were treated by our ship’s doctors with over-the-counter medication,” Torres said, “and we hope all our guests feel better quickly.”
It is not known what caused the illness.
“We encouraged our guests and crew to wash their hands often, which health experts recommend as the best defense against stomach viruses, which each year affect as many as 300 million people worldwide,” Torres said, adding, “only the common cold is more prevalent.”
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