The yr’s second cruise ship outbreak has struck, affecting over 100 passengers and crew members. The incident is unfolding aboard the Queen Victoria, which is presently on a 107-night crusing from Hamburg to Sydney.
In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management (CDC), norovirus signs began showing amongst passengers final January 22 because the ship was in Fort Lauderdale.
By the numbers
Out of the 1,824 passengers, 120, or virtually 7% of company reported signs like vomiting and diarrhea, nicely above the three% threshold that requires cruise strains to reveal well being considerations publicly.
In the meantime, 15 of the 967 crew members (1%) caught the identical sickness. The reason for the outbreak stays unknown.
A spokesperson from Cunard knowledgeable The Impartial, “They instantly activated their enhanced well being and security protocols to make sure the wellbeing of all company and crew on board.” Containment measures included isolating sick passengers and disinfecting areas of the ship.
Moreover, the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) has been enforced to watch norovirus instances remotely.
Queen Victoria is a Vista-class cruise ship that has an ongoing 107-night voyage the place passengers can elect to hitch particular segments.
Queen Victoria left Southampton, England, final January 11 and can sail to locations like San Francisco, Fiji, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and South Africa earlier than returning to the UK on April 28.
How widespread are norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships?
Although the instances of norovirus infections on cruise ships represent a small share of the world’s complete, it’s nonetheless one of many fastest-spreading and most typical diseases for cruise passengers.
The yr’s first norovirus outbreak was reported through the January 3 to 12 voyage onboard Movie star Constellation. Ninety-two passengers have been confirmed to have gastrointestinal sickness. In 2023, there have been 13 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.
