Cunard Line’s iconic Queen Mary 2 is the most recent cruise ship to report a gastrointestinal sickness outbreak, with over 100 people affected throughout its present transatlantic voyage. The outbreak was formally reported to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) on December 19, 2024.
The ship, carrying 2,430 passengers and 1,237 crew members, departed from Southampton, England, on December 14 and is scheduled to reach in New York Metropolis on December 21. The CDC confirmed that 100 passengers (4.16% of company) and 7 crew members (0.57% of workers) had reported signs together with diarrhea, vomiting, and belly cramps.
Cunard Line responded by implementing enhanced cleansing and disinfection measures in accordance with its outbreak prevention and response protocols. Unwell passengers and crew have been remoted to stop additional unfold, and stool samples have been collected to determine the causative agent. Nevertheless, the precise reason for the outbreak stays unknown at the moment.
The outbreak comes as Queen Mary 2 is in the midst of an extended vacation itinerary, together with a 28-night Caribbean crusing. Passengers disembarking in New York Metropolis for the following leg could also be affected if containment efforts are inadequate. Cunard has not but introduced whether or not all passengers should disembark in New York for a deeper vessel cleansing.
The CDC famous that gastrointestinal sicknesses comparable to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) are extremely contagious and infrequently brought on by norovirus. Contamination by way of meals, water, or surfaces is frequent, making cruise ships notably susceptible. Signs usually manifest inside 12 to 48 hours after publicity and may last as long as three days, with isolation really useful for at the least 48 hours after restoration.
This isn’t Queen Mary 2’s first expertise with sickness outbreaks. In 2012, 205 passengers have been affected by an analogous unfold throughout a Christmas cruise. The present outbreak additionally follows current experiences of norovirus incidents aboard different ships, together with Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and Zuiderdam earlier this month.
The CDC is monitoring the state of affairs remotely, reviewing sanitation procedures and outbreak responses aboard Queen Mary 2. Passengers are suggested to report signs to onboard medical workers promptly and to apply good hygiene to cut back the danger of transmission.
