115 sick with norovirus on Princess cruise ship that left Fort Lauderdale, CDC says

More than 100 passengers and crew members became ill with norovirus aboard a Princess cruise ship that left Fort Lauderdale, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

A total of 102 passengers and 13 crew members reported being sick on the Caribbean Princess, the CDC said.

In response, the ship increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, officials said.

The ship left Port Everglades on April 29 and is scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral on May 11.

The sicknesses account for about 3.3% of the 3,116 passenger and 1.2% of the crew on board the ship, the CDC said.

NBC6 was reached out to Princess Cruises for a statement.

Norovirus is the leading cause of diarrhea and vomiting outbreaks in the United States, according to the CDC. It can spread through direct contact with others, consuming food and liquids contaminated with the virus, and touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can be prevented by disinfecting surfaces and washing hands frequently, the CDC says.