The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there has been a significant increase in gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships in recent weeks, with norovirus being the main culprit. In the month of December alone, 781 cruise ship passengers and 109 crew members fell sick with norovirus. The highly contagious norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. The CDC noted that outbreaks of norovirus typically peak from November to April.
In the United States, norovirus outbreaks have reached their highest level since 2012, with 495 recorded outbreaks from August to December. Specifically, during the week of December 5, there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus. Throughout the year, there have been 16 outbreaks of stomach illnesses on cruise ships, affecting 1,894 passengers and 245 crew members. In December, four cruise ships experienced outbreaks: Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and Zuiderdam. Norovirus was responsible for outbreaks on the latter three ships, while the cause of sickness on the Queen Mary 2 remains unknown.
The symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, headaches, and body aches. These symptoms typically appear between 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. In response to the outbreaks, cruise lines such as Holland America Line and Cunard Line have implemented enhanced sanitation protocols and deep cleaning measures to prevent further spread of the virus. The CDC emphasized the importance of early recognition of symptoms and isolating individuals affected by norovirus to limit its spread.
As the peak season for norovirus continues, it is expected that there will be an increase in cases. The CDC warned that anyone can be infected with norovirus, but children under 5, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe infections. Preventive measures such as early recognition of symptoms and isolation of cases are crucial in controlling the spread of norovirus. Cruise lines and health authorities are working together to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew members on board.
