So far this year there has been one norovirus outbreak, and three other outbreaks with symptoms of norovirus on cruise ships, after the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted those vacations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Norovirus outbreaks are common on these ships, partly because of the enclosed spaces and partly because the highly contagious virus spreads easily in crowded conditions. On the Arcadia, from P&O Cruises, 86 passengers and 20 crew members were sickened with norovirus out of 1,752 passengers and 815 crew members. In response to this outbreak, the crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected stool specimens from patients, and notified embarking guests about the situation. Brilliance of the Seas, a ship from Royal … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 475 Passengers
Norovirus outbreaks increase during the winter months because more people are together indoors. But some venues, such as nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships, can be struck by this virus at any time. A norovirus outbreak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has sickened 475 passengers. The cruise was cut short. It was supposed to be a seven day cruise, leaving Port Canaveral in Florida on January 6, 2019. Apparently, passengers started getting sick after eating a cruise ship-sponsored lunch buffet in Haiti, which was the first stop. The ship is heading back to port. The company plans to clean and sanitize the vessel before its next trip. Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes symptoms of vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Some people may experience fever, … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Sickens Almost 200 Passengers
Almost 200 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas cruise ship have been sickened with what officials believe is norovirus, according to the line and news reports. That ship can carry almost 6,000 people. The liner left Singapore on November 23, 2017. The outbreak began soon after. Cruise ships, just like other places where many gather in a relatively confined space, are notorious for norovirus outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posts outbreak updates for international cruise ships that sail from a foreign port to a U.S. port. The ships which participate in the Vessel Sanitation Program report the number of gastrointestinal illnesses, including zero, which have been evaluated by medical staff at least 24 hours before the ship arrives at … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak on Crown Princess
Norovirus outbreaks are all too common on cruises. The latest is the Crown Princess of Princess Cruise Lines. The ship was on a month-long cruise on the Pacific. According to the CDCs Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), Of the 3,009 people on board, 158 have been experiencing gastrointestinal problems. Fourteen of the 1,160 crew members are also sick. Most of those sickened were ill in the last 15 days of the voyage. Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is very contagious and spreads rapidly among people lived in a closed environment. In response, Princess Cruise and the crew are sanitizing the ship. They are increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures, making announcements to notify passengers of the outbreak, encouraging case reporting, and … [Read more...]
Stomach Illness Outbreak on Ruby Princess Cruise Ship
The Princess Cruise line Ruby Princess has reported a stomach illness outbreak on its latest cruise. The ship had voyage dates of March 3 to March 10, 2013. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. There is no known cause, although the cause of most outbreaks on cruise ships is norovirus. Symptoms of that highly contagious virus include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, along with possible headache and low grade fever. Two hundred sixty six passengers (out of 3,129) and 10 crew (out of 1,189) reportedly became ill during the voyage. The outbreak was communicated to the Vessel Sanitation Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 10, 2013, so no on board response to the outbreak was conducted. When the ship, which journeyed to the Eastern Caribbean, … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas Has Norovirus Outbreak
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Vision of the Seas has reported an outbreak of norovirus that has sickened at least 118 passengers and 3 crew members. The ship had 1,991 passengers on board and 772 crew members, which means 5.3% of the those on board were sickened. The ship docked in Port Everglades, Florida on Friday March 8, 2013 and was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before its next journey. Passengers "responded well to treatment", according to the company. Norovirus is an extremely contagious disease that causes vomiting, stomach pain, and severe diarrhea. Most people recover within a few days, but some can be severely dehydrated and require hospitalization. Other complications can include swelling of the brain, seizures, hypovolemic shock, kidney failure, and … [Read more...]
Outbreaks on Two Cruise Ships in the Caribbean
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that there are illness outbreaks on two Christmas cruises in the Caribbean. One outbreak is on the Cunard Line Queen Mary 2, with voyage dates of December 22, 2012 to January 3, 2013. The second is the Princess Cruises Emerald Princess, with voyage dates of December 17 to December 27, 2012. The cause of the outbreaks has not been determined, but it may be norovirus, which often strikes enclosed areas such as cruise ships and nursing homes. On the Cunard Line cruise, 201 out of 2,613 passengers, and 14 out of 1,255 crew have reported illness of vomiting and diarrhea. The causative agent is unknown at this time. The crew is disinfecting the ship, and an extra medical staff and a public health officer have been sent to the … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak on Princess Cruise Line Ship Dawn Princess
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an investigation update on the Norovirus outbreak on the Dawn Princess cruise ship. The ship of part of the Princess Cruises cruise line. Voyage dates were August 21 to September 13, 2012. The number of passengers on the ship is 1,778, and crew members is 851. The passengers who reported being ill numbered 114, or 6.41%, and the number of crew who reported being ill numbered 11, or 1.29%. The symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea are consistent with Norovirus infection. The crew on the ship have taken preventative action according to their outbreak prevention and response plan. They have increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, made announcements to notify passengers of the outbreak, and encouraged reporting and … [Read more...]
