More than 200 cruise ship passengers were infected with norovirus on a transatlantic voyage that is currently still at sea.

The illnesses occurred on the Cunard cruise line ship Queen Mary 2, which departed Southampton in the U.K. on March 8.

The ship traveled to New York and to several islands in the Eastern Caribbean, according to Cunard’s website.

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Out of the total 2,538 passengers, 224 became ill with the virus. Seventeen crew members were also affected, as stated in an alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diarrhea and vomiting were the primary symptoms reported. All sick passengers have been isolated, the announcement noted.

The ship is expected to return to Southampton on Sunday, April 6.

Cunard has increased its cleaning and disinfection procedures in response to the outbreak, according to the CDC.

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The cruise line has also collected stool specimens from sick passengers for testing. 

“VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures,” the CDC stated.

Norovirus spread and symptoms

Norovirus, also known as food poisoning or the stomach bug, is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines, per the CDC.

“Norovirus, also known as Norwalk-like virus, is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S.,” Dr. Amber Charoen, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Kennewick, Washington, previously told Fox News Digital.

“The combination of indoor spaces, close contact and crowding is why norovirus thrives in environments like schools, day cares and cruise ships,” one expert said. (iStock)

“It can spread with as few as 10 particles through contaminated food, vomit, stool and even person-to-person contact.”

The highly contagious virus can also spread via contaminated surfaces, utensils or foods.

“The combination of indoor spaces, close contact and crowding is why norovirus thrives in environments like schools, day cares and cruise ships,” Chad D. Neilsen, MPH, director of Infection Prevention and Control at Nemours Children’s Health in Florida, previously told Fox News Digital.

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“Once an outbreak starts, it’s challenging to control it without public health and sanitation expertise.”

While it is often referred to as a “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” norovirus is not related to influenza.

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“Symptoms of norovirus vary, but those infected tend to have a mix of low-grade fever, chills, vomiting, headache, muscle aches and fatigue,” Baum said. 

“In addition, norovirus outbreaks typically produce nausea (more often in children), watery diarrhea (more often in adults) and stomach cramps.”

While it is often referred to as a “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” norovirus is not related to influenza. (iStock)

There is no specific medicine to treat norovirus, according to Baum. 

Nielsen previously shared with Fox News Digital that norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S., causing about 20 million cases each year.

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Norovirus is responsible for about 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths each year in the U.S., mostly affecting adults over 65 years old, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

About one in 15 Americans will get norovirus annually, and one out of 160 children will be hospitalized.

Prevention and treatment

The best defense against norovirus is to wash hands frequently, identify symptoms early and isolate if sick, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst.

The CDC also recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and washing laundry in hot water, if possible.

The best defense against norovirus is to wash hands frequently, identify symptoms early and isolate if sick, a doctor advised. (iStock)

“There is no treatment except to stay well-hydrated,” he told Fox News Digital. “[It] generally lasts around three days.”

Neilsen agreed that most people will recover from norovirus in one to three days without any treatment, but others could experience more severe symptoms like dehydration, which “could require medical attention.”

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The CDC recommends drinking plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration and to seek medical care if it becomes severe.

Fox News Digital reached out to Cunard requesting additional comment.

Former “MythBusters” star Adam Savage is exploring the science of longevity, asking how lifestyle choices, stress and even sleep affect how long we live.

Savage, now a YouTube creator and head of the channel Tested, has partnered with health technology company Medtronic to engage in discussions about longevity. While not a researcher himself, he has taken a deep dive into scientific insights from experts and reflected on his own experiences.

“Longevity has always been a fascination for me,” Savage told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. 

“I mean, who doesn’t want to know how to live better and maybe even longer? But the real question is what actually works?” 

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He credits his “MythBusters” experience with fueling his passion for scientific exploration. 

“Making that show legitimized the practice of science and engineering to me,” Savage said. “It made me realize how much of our world can be tested, questioned and improved through experimentation.”

Through his discussions with people on the street for Medtronic, Savage has uncovered key lifestyle factors affecting longevity. He noted a cultural shift in what we consider to be old age, highlighting that people today consider themselves “young-ish” for longer. 

Savage also pointed to Blue Zones, regions known for long life expectancy, but questioned whether longevity there stems simply from location or cultural practices.

“We assume people in these areas live longer because of where they are, but what if it’s really just the way they live? That’s the part that fascinates me,” he said. 

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“There’s no magic secret. It’s a mix of daily habits — what you eat, how you move, how you interact with your community, how you handle stress. All those things matter.”

Savage has taken a personal interest in testing different longevity strategies in his own life. He spoke candidly with Fox News Digital about his journey with intermittent fasting, which helped him lose 25 pounds and eliminate sleep apnea. 

“It’s crazy how much of a difference it made,” he said. “I didn’t just lose weight. I felt sharper, I slept better and I stopped snoring. It was like flipping a switch on my health.”

He also reflected on his past smoking habits and what it took to quit. 

“I had to admit I wasn’t smoking for enjoyment,” Savage said. “I was just doing it out of habit. Once I realized that, it was easy to quit.”

Medtronic is investigating how science can extend our lives. Savage believes that lifestyle choices and community have been beneficial in his own life. (iStock)

On alcohol, Savage dismissed the idea of a universal approach, arguing that studies conflict. While he personally cut back, he emphasized that people shouldn’t feel guilty about their lifestyle choices. 

“I’m a big believer in not feeling guilty about the things that you do to the core, whether it’s smoking, whether it’s watching something dumb or puzzling for 100 hours at a time,” he said. “I don’t care about any of those. We all do these things to sort of bring relaxation and down regulate. I just think that alcohol is an especially poor down regulator in the final analysis.”

Beyond lifestyle choices, medical advancements are playing an increasingly critical role in extending both lifespan and “healthspan,” the years we live without serious disease. Medtronic, which focuses on healthcare technology globally, has developed medical devices designed to manage chronic conditions, improve heart health and advance minimally invasive surgeries.

According to Medtronic, as people live longer, the focus is shifting toward enhancing not just lifespan but quality of life. The company’s latest innovations include artificial intelligence-driven healthcare monitoring, robotic-assisted surgeries and advanced pacemakers, all aimed at improving long-term health outcomes. Savage also spoke about the psychological aspects of aging, emphasizing that mindset and community play a significant role in longevity. 

Medtronic claims the first person to live to 150 may already have been born. When asked if there is an upper limit to human life, Savage replied, “I think right now 150 is a very realistic target to be shooting for and to be discussing.

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“That’s really what science foreshadowing is,” added Savage. “It’s about asking these questions and seeing, ‘OK, what numbers are unrealistic.’ I think 40 years ago, 150 would have seemed radically unrealistic. Today it seems more realistic, and I think it’s entirely reasonable that, let’s say, by 2040, we may all have a different cultural answer to that question.”

Sleep is of great importance to overall health, but many people struggle to get quality slumber.

In an annual survey by U.S. News, which was released in March, thousands of Americans weighed in on their sleep habits.

While the National Institutes of Health recommends seven to nine hours of sleep every night, 58% of people reported sleeping six to seven hours a night.

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Meanwhile, one in five Americans (20%) reported only getting four to five hours.

The survey also found that 25% of respondents use over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.

The largest finding revealed that 89% of U.S. adults wake up regularly during the night.

More than one in three (40%) Americans said they wake up often, even if it doesn’t happen daily.

Reasons for sleep struggles

Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD — a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah — shared a few reasons Americans aren’t sleeping through the night.

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“Given the stress and uncertainty in today’s world, it is not particularly surprising that a striking number of people are facing trouble staying asleep,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Other health conditions like chronic pain — or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia — can also disrupt sleep, according to Troxel.

The National Institutes of Health recommends seven to nine hours of sleep every night. (iStock)

Environmental factors like pollution and rising global temperatures can also contribute to “fragmented sleep,” as temperature can manipulate the circadian rhythm, the expert added.

“As part of the circadian rhythm (which regulates sleep-wake cycles among other things), the body’s core temperature naturally decreases at night, signaling that it’s time to sleep,” she said.

“If you wake up and can’t get back to sleep, get out of bed and do something calming but distracting.”

“A cooler environment facilitates this temperature drop, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.”

The recommended temperature for quality sleep is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, according to experts.

Troxel recommended using breathable bedding, wearing lightweight sleepwear and using fans or air-conditioning to regulate temperature.

“You want your brain to associate your bed as a sanctuary for sleep, not as a place for frustration and worry,” an expert said. (iStock)

“Investing in temperature-regulating mattresses or mattress pads can also help maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night,” she advised.

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Troxel also named menopause as a “significant factor” for sleep disruptions, with about 60% of women experiencing restless nights during this transition.

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“Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle and during menopause influence thermoregulation and can contribute to sleep disruptions in women,” she said.

To prevent waking up in the middle of the night, Troxel shared that “one of the most effective strategies” is stimulus control.

Menopause is a “significant factor” for sleep disruptions, according to experts. (iStock)

“If you wake up and can’t get back to sleep, get out of bed and do something calming but distracting, like reading a book or gently stretching,” she suggested. “This can help break the habit of being awake and frustrated in bed.”

“You want your brain to associate your bed as a sanctuary for sleep, not as a place for frustration and worry.”

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Troxel also encouraged people to resist the urge to check the clock in the middle of the night.

“Seeing the time at 3 a.m. only exacerbates stress and anxiety,” she said.

Semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity in recent years due to their effectiveness in diabetes control and weight loss. 

Research has revealed additional benefits beyond those primary uses — but some negative side effects have also emerged.

While gastrointestinal issues are the most common side effects, a recent study by the University of British Columbia linked GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists — the class of drugs that includes semaglutides — to an increased risk of hair loss.

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The researchers analyzed data from 16 million patients from a health claims database, narrowing it down to 1,926 semaglutide users and 1,348 users of bupropion-naltrexone, another type of weight-loss medication.

After adjusting for other factors, they found that the semaglutide users were overall 50% more likely to experience hair loss compared to the other group.

Women were more likely to have this outcome, with twice the risk of men.

‘Not surprising’

The researchers were not surprised by the results, according to co-study author Dr. Mahyar Etminan, an epidemiologist and CEO of Epilytics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

“There were [previous] anecdotal reports of hair loss and also reports of hair loss in clinical trials of the drugs,” he told Fox News Digital.

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Dr. Patrick Davis, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and hair restoration expert, agreed that the findings were not surprising.

“We have heard this anecdotally when patients consult us for surgical restoration of their face after rapid weight loss,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

After adjusting for other factors, researchers found that the semaglutide users were overall 50% more likely to experience hair loss compared to the other group. (iStock)

“Hair growth (and loss) are quite dependent on factors such as diet, essential vitamins, bodily stress and genetics.”

The first three factors come into play during weight loss, he noted — “and semaglutide-driven loss is likely no exception.”

Previous studies have shown that changes inducing stress or affecting one’s nutritional intake could pose an increased risk of hair loss, the doctor added. 

“Hair growth (and loss) are quite dependent on factors such as diet, essential vitamins, bodily stress and genetics.”

“This study references that those who lost more than 20% of their body weight had higher rates of hair loss than those who didn’t,” Davis noted. 

“This study theorizes that this may be due to suspected physiological stress, which may be a symptom of such rapid weight loss.”

Long-term hair loss seems to be more unlikely, the doctor said, as the “inciting event” (weight loss and stress) often normalizes as individuals reach their target weight.

Potential limitations

The study did have some limitations, noted researcher Etminan.

Those included the fact that it could not verify hair loss through medical records, but only identified medical codes for hair loss.

Women were more likely to experience semaglutide-related hair loss, with twice the risk of men. (iStock)

Davis, the plastic surgeon, also noted that this research references another study in which Wegovy users had an elevated risk of hair loss (3.3%) relative to the placebo group (1.4%). 

“While this clearly shows an increased risk, 3.3% is still a very low rate of incidence,” he said.

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This early study, which was published in the preprint server medRxiv, has not yet been peer-reviewed.

“Future studies are required to ascertain the association between semaglutide and hair loss,” the researchers wrote.

Doctors’ advice

Those who experience hair loss while taking semaglutide drugs should consult with a dermatologist to determine whether it’s due to an adverse effect of these medications, Etminan advised.

“This is a relatively new adverse event and not much is known about it,” he said. “Questions about who is most at risk and whether the hair loss will reverse upon stopping the drug can be addressed in future studies.”

When contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk — maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. (Getty Images)

Davis agreed, encouraging patients to have an open conversation with their doctor about how they can best take care of themselves. 

“I believe a patient should take any potential side effects into consideration before taking any medication,” he said. 

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“While the rate of incidence of hair loss is still decidedly low, it’s a potential trade-off that a patient should consider.” 

Davis also recommends that his patients adopt a “hearty diet” consisting of fiber, protein and nutritious foods to ensure proper nourishment while taking a semaglutide medication.

Those who experience hair loss while taking semaglutide drugs should consult with a dermatologist to determine whether it’s due to an adverse effect of these medications, an expert advised. (iStock)

“Not only may this help with hair loss, but more importantly, a strong diet can curb the unwanted loss of muscle mass that often occurs,” he said. “A proper diet, conservative timetable for weight loss, and plan for exercise are essential when taking this medication.”

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When contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk — maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information.

“In clinical trials of Wegovy, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of Wegovy-treated adult patients versus 1.0% of placebo-treated adult patients,” the company spokesperson said. 

“While the rate of incidence of hair loss is still decidedly low, it’s a potential trade-off that a patient should consider.”

“Hair loss was reported more frequently in patients with greater weight loss (≥20%), suggesting that the events of hair loss were potentially related to the magnitude of weight loss.”

“Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk,” the statement continued. “We are continuously monitoring the safety profile of our products and collaborate closely with authorities to ensure patient safety, including adequate information on hair loss.”

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The study was funded by internal research funds from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, the journal article stated.

Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in healthcare, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.

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