Epidemic On The High Seas

Twenty more passengers aboard a Holland America cruise ship caught a stomach virus, bringing the total to 28 on the current voyage and at least 465 on the boat's last four sails.

The illnesses on the Amsterdam's current 10-day Caribbean cruise continued despite efforts to scrub the ship clean. The passengers who became ill, along with 32 of their traveling companions, were flown home from Curacao when the ship made a scheduled stop there, company spokesman Erik Elvejord said Thursday.

The epidemic began in early October, when at least 215 people got sick on the Amsterdam's cruise from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale. At least 222 more fell ill on the ship's next two outings.

The Amsterdam departed Monday with 1,316 passengers, after 600 workers had spent hours cleaning and sanitizing the ship. Those passengers received a letter about the virus, but all decided to board.

If more people become ill on the trip, Elvejord said the company will consider canceling the ship's next scheduled Caribbean cruise, scheduled to depart Thursday.

While not considered serious, the contagious virus strikes people with up to two days of diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.

The virus is spread through food, water and close contact with infected people or things they have touched. For the elderly and those with chronic illness, the virus can cause dehydration.