A major health scare has erupted aboard the Caribbean Princess after more than 100 passengers and crew members reportedly fell ill during a 13-night Southern Caribbean voyage. According to health authorities, the outbreak is linked to suspected norovirus, one of the world’s leading causes of vomiting, diarrhoea and highly contagious gastrointestinal illness. The US CDC is now monitoring the situation closely as reports reveal that the virus spread rapidly among people onboard the luxury cruise ship. Princess Cruises has since launched extensive sanitisation and deep-cleaning measures ahead of the vessel’s next scheduled journey. The outbreak comes just days after global concern surrounding hantavirus reports linked to the MV Hondius, triggering fresh debate around cruise ship health safety and how quickly infectious diseases can spread in enclosed environments.

As the government shutdown drags on, 42 million Americans are days away from losing federal food assistance. The USDA has confirmed that no SNAP benefits will be issued on November 1, citing a lack of legal authority to use contingency funds. In Los Angeles, National Guard troops are bagging food boxes to help meet the surge in demand as families prepare for the cutoff.