A cruise ship has fallen victim to the highly contagious norovirus, leaving nearly 100 passengers and crew members sick during its voyage. This is the 21st cruise ship outbreak of norovirus this year, according to the CDC. But here's where it gets controversial: while proper hygiene and sanitation measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, some experts argue that alcohol-based sanitizers may not be as effective as washing hands with soap and water. Scott Weisenberg, M.D., medical director of the NYU Langone Infectious Disease Associates and the NYU Travel Medicine Program, previously told Fox News Digital that the virus is highly contagious and can spread quickly in crowded settings such as cruise ships. "If people have acute vomiting, they should avoid public areas, since even if they don't touch anything, the virus can spread through the air," he said. As a result of the outbreak, enhanced sanitation measures were implemented on board, along with isolating those who became ill. This latest incident adds to a growing number of norovirus outbreaks reported on cruise ships this year. There have now been a total of 21 outbreaks, according to the CDC. And this is the part most people miss: while proper hygiene and sanitation measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, some experts argue that alcohol-based sanitizers may not be as effective as washing hands with soap and water. "Seasonal illness peaks between November and April, and the AIDAdiva report reflects infection patterns on land," an AIDA spokesperson told USA TODAY. "Therefore, we’ve added more hygiene protocols onboard, and cases are already going down." But here's where it gets controversial: while proper hygiene and sanitation measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, some experts argue that alcohol-based sanitizers may not be as effective as washing hands with soap and water. "Shared surfaces can easily become contaminated, putting anyone who touches them at risk of infection," Weisenberg noted. "Washing hands with soap and water offers better protection than using alcohol-based sanitizers." So, what's the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus? The CDC recommends frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or before eating. It's also important to avoid touching your face and to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly. And this is the part most people miss: while proper hygiene and sanitation measures are crucial in preventing the spread of the virus, some experts argue that alcohol-based sanitizers may not be as effective as washing hands with soap and water.
