A Holland America Line cruise that ended yesterday was impacted by a norovirus outbreak. The CDC reported that 74 friends and 4 crew members fell in poor health.
The ten-night cruise concluded Saturday when it returned to Port Everglades. The well being company says the predominant signs are diarrhea and vomiting. Contaminated friends and crew have been remoted.
“We initiated enhanced sanitation protocols at the side of the CDC to reduce additional transmission,” Holland America Line stated. Because of this, boarding for the following cruise departure has been amended.
Boarding delays for subsequent cruise
HAL stated: “As an extra precaution, upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale Saturday, the ship will endure extra and complete sanitization earlier than embarking on its subsequent voyage. Friends have been notified of up to date boarding occasions to permit for the extra disinfection.”
There are 1,923 friends on the Zuiderdam’s Caribbean present cruise. Holland America Line stated “instances have principally been delicate and shortly resolving.” HAL first reported sickness aboard the ship on December 11.
12thcruise trade outbreak this yr
The CDC has recorded 12 cruise ship sickness outbreaks in 2024, with 9 of those confirmed norovirus because the causative agent. There was one salmonella and E. coli outbreak this yr and one whose trigger continues to be unclear.
It’s the second norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line ship this yr. 104 friends and 17 crew members fell in poor health throughout a cruise on HAL ship Koningsdam in March.
Norovirus is extremely contagious and will be unfold by means of contaminated meals, water, and unclean surfaces. Different typical gastrointestinal sickness signs embrace muscle aches, complications, belly cramps, and fever.
The CDC reviews all situations when a ship sickness outbreak impacts no less than 3% of passengers or crew underneath the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.
Along with investigating outbreaks, the VSP conducts cruise ship inspections and publishes the outcomes. Inspections assess medical middle gear and documentation, eating areas, swimming swimming pools and scorching tubs, and potable water provide.
In 2024, Zuiderdam scored 100% on a CDC well being USPH well being inspection.
