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Cruise ships plagued { December 2 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63697-2002Dec2.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63697-2002Dec2.html Cruise Ship Woes Not Terrorism, Feds Say The Associated Press Monday, December 2, 2002; 12:05 PM WASHINGTON –– Federal officials say there is no evidence that bioterrorists are behind the spate of gastrointestinal illnesses that have plagued cruise ships. Norwalk-like viruses have infected more than 1,000 people on cruise ships in the past few months. On Monday, a Carnival cruise ship returned from a three-day voyage carrying more than 170 people sickened by a gastrointestinal virus similar to those experienced by other cruise liners. It was not yet known whether they, too, had the Norwalk virus. The virus is spread through food and water and close contact with infected people or things they have touched. It can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for up to two days. Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the virus is commonly found in the environment and spreads easily when people are confined to a small area, such as a ship. "There's nothing that we've seen thus far to suggest this is any sort of bioterrorism," Skinner said. "Though it's not common that we see these outbreaks of this sort of magnitude, it's certainly not unheard of." Similar outbreaks have occurred on ships in past years. In this case, health officials say, it's unclear whether the number infected represents an actual spike since more people are reporting illnesses due to the increased attention. © 2002 The Associated Press

117 sick fourth ship { December 5 2002 } 200 passengers ill Cruise ships plagued { December 2 2002 } Hawaii cruise cut short More sick passengers Files Listed: 5

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