MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Norwalk” attacks again

The Norwalk gastroenteritis virus that has been attacking cruise vessels in the Caribbean reappeared last Monday adding several hundred more cases to the toll of those prostrated by diarrhea and fever.

According to Miami and federal sanitary officials 1,200 people in three different cruises have now suffered the virus, the last of which "Fascination" from Carnival Cruise Lines.

"Fascination" arrived in Miami after a three days tour of Bahamas with 190 passengers and 19 crewmembers of the 3,000 people on board, affected.

The two other vessels involved, so far, are Holland-America's "Amsterdam" with a total 500 taken ill with diarrhea, vomits and stomach aches during four different cruises; and Disney's "Magic", currently in Cape Canaveral undergoing sanitation, with 218 and 300 cases in different trips.

A spokesperson for the US Control Disease Center said "there was no evidence of an intentional origin in the outbreaks".

Carnival Cruises CEO Bob Dickinson added that this type of virus is not uncommon in the United States.

"We're not talking about serious diseases, but rather an influenza strain virus", said Mr. Dickinson although admitting that there was no record of so many outbreaks in different cruises.