Norovirus outbreaks surging on cruise ships this year

Table Of Content

• 3% public health inspection scores
• The Looming Marburg Crisis: How Virus Outbreaks Escalate and Spread
• When was the most recent norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship?
• These are the cruise ships with the best — and worst — sanitation scores so far this year
• Why do I only hear about Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships?
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans

A norovirus outbreak can cause significant disruption to the planned activities and itineraries of a cruise. Infected individuals must be isolated, common areas may need to be closed for cleaning, and in severe cases, the ship may even have to return to port. In April 2023, a multistate norovirus outbreak was linked to raw oysters from Texas, according to the CDC. In early June, reports circulated that more than 175 people became sick with norovirus on a Celebrity Cruise en route to Bermuda. Find more information about gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on land and at sea. If you want to bring something on your ship to help lower the chance of catching norovirus, Lysol and Clorox products are among the bleaches the Environmental Protection Agency lists as being effective against norovirus.

3% public health inspection scores

The most severe outbreaks were reported in Brazil, with an alarming surge in newborns with microcephaly. If the mother is infected, the virus may cause microcephaly in newborns. This is a neurodevelopmental disorder - babies are born with an underdeveloped head.

The Looming Marburg Crisis: How Virus Outbreaks Escalate and Spread

Likewise, Mathis says vacationers shouldn’t let the fear of norovirus keep them from taking a vacation. Cruise experts say several factors may be contributing to the rise in cases. For one, cruising has soared this year, with the number of passengers expected to surpass the total that sailed in 2019, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Since many people do not get tested, experts can only estimate how many norovirus cases occur in the U.S. every year. While the virus can affect people in large groups, we are starting to see bigger clusters of individuals getting sick. Hydration is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent dehydration — the biggest complication of this illness.

When was the most recent norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship?

There are also behind-the-scenes procedures that cruise lines must follow. For instance, medical officers are required to maintain illness incident counts for each voyage that involves a stop at an American port. They are also required to communicate to the CDC, within 24 hours of arrival at a U.S. port, "the number of passengers and crew members who reported diarrhea to the ship's medical staff" during that voyage. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years. Since January 2023, there have been 13 confirmed norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships under U.S. jurisdiction — that's more outbreaks in six months than there have been during any full year since 2012, according to data from the U.S. Norovirus is the most common of several viruses that cause severe gastrointestinal illness or acute gastroenteritis.

Common Settings of Norovirus Outbreaks

To see how your specific cruise line performed on its VSP inspections, you can visit the CDC website and search their portal. This site also lists any corrective actions taken to remedy any issues. According to Shah, norovirus spreads rapidly anywhere there are large groups of people, like school classrooms, family gatherings, and weddings. And this year’s outbreaks represent the highest number since cruises began sailing again in the summer of 2021 after being suspended due to COVID-19.

Obviously, the first thing is to go to the ship's infirmary (medical center) and contact the doctor. You should drink plenty of water as dehydration is a side-effect of the illness. A few years ago an experimental Norovirus vaccine (applied as nasal spray) was developed by the "Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology" (Arizona State University). Additionally, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program, implemented in the 1970s, subjects all passenger ships carrying 13 or more people to random, unannounced inspections if they wish to call on ports in the United States. Norovirus cases have spiked across the United States this year, which some experts say is the result of ending COVID-19 restrictions. Chiron says cruise lines try to keep ships clean and limit some interactions.

Nearly 30 Silverseas cruise passengers fall ill with diarrhea at sea - New York Post

Nearly 30 Silverseas cruise passengers fall ill with diarrhea at sea.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:44:00 GMT [source]

Why do I only hear about Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships?

After years of decline, norovirus outbreaks surge on cruise ships - CNN

After years of decline, norovirus outbreaks surge on cruise ships.

Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Norovirus is referred to as "the stomach flu", and is easily spread from person to person. “Norovirus is one of the few viruses that doesn’t get deactivated by alcohol. You actually need to use soap and water to physically destroy it and remove it from your hands,” Ostrosky previously told TODAY.com. It only takes a small number of virus particles for norovirus to spread, which is why norovirus causes so many explosive outbreaks, Ko previously told TODAY.com. However, as travel surges this summer, travel-related illnesses are expected to surge, as well.

Inspection scores of 85 and lower are considered "not satisfactory" by the agency. Buffet service often switches from "help yourself" to manned stations. Norovirus has been a particular problem of late for cruise ships because passengers and crew typically occupy close -- and closed-in -- quarters, such as casinos, theaters and banquet-style dining rooms. However, Norovirus has been known to close schools, attack college dormitories and even infect a Hollywood Academy Awards party. The design and operation of cruise ships often involve large groups of people living in close proximity, sharing dining areas, entertainment spaces, and public restrooms. This makes it easy for norovirus to spread rapidly from person to person.

Symptoms may include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as abdominal cramping, headaches, muscle aches and fever — an unpleasant experience any time but especially when you're on vacation. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, which is inflammation in the stomach or intestines, according to the CDC. Health officials say norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea as well as the most common type of foodborne illness. Passengers who experience norovirus symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea should notify staff and follow recommended precautions, per the CDC.

An "illness outbreak" is considered when 3% or more of all passengers report symptoms to the ship's med staff. In such cases, the CDC requires cruise lines to file a medical report. Norovirus on ships is spread through contaminated water, foods and surfaces (public restrooms, railings, doorknobs, handles, board games-cards-puzzles-toys, etc). Norovirus withstands chlorine, prolonged exposure outside the body, as well as temperature extremes.

Common symptoms are cold sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea. When such symptoms are noticed, passengers should take precautions to prevent intensifying the disorientation. Major (in some cases epidemic) illness outbreaks are among the "biggies" that can bring down the brand's reputation on the market. Cruise illness issues often result in lower booking rates and cheaper prices - which is bad for the business.

Should you be worried about catching norovirus or another gastrointestinal illness when you cruise? The CDC says cruises account for some of the lowest case numbers in the U.S. annually. On ships where outbreaks occur, the crew conducts a deep cleaning of the ship after passengers have disembarked and before the next sailing begins. In cases where outbreaks are particularly severe, subsequent sailings could be canceled to allow for more thorough sanitization. People also are more likely to get sick now since pandemic restrictions have been lifted. For the past few years, people have not been exposed to as many common viruses and illnesses and now that exposure is rising, illnesses are bound to rise as well.