We call norovirus the 'cruise ship virus,' but 'salad bar virus' is more like it

Norovirus.


Norovirus.

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the USA, and is widely referred to as "cruise ship virus" for its reputation of mass outbreaks on sea vessels. But only about 1% of reported norovirus outbreaks happen on cruise ships, reports USA Today's Liz Szabo. "It might be more accurate to call it the 'salad bar virus," she writes, "And not because customers are sneezing on the croutons." Nope, the culprit is usually food handlers (cooks, waiters) who touch food with bare hands.