CDC Confirms Norovirus Outbreak
In December, three separate norovirus outbreaks occurred on cruise ships, affecting over 300 people, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the first and only month in 2023 with multiple outbreaks on cruise ships. A total of 301 individuals, including passengers and crew members, became sick from the virus, which caused typical symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
The CDC explained that cruise ships are particularly vulnerable to norovirus outbreaks due to confined spaces, shared dining areas, and the frequent exchange of passengers. The virus can spread when contaminated food or water is brought on board or by passengers who are infected before boarding. The affected ships were Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, as well as two Holland America ships, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, all of which were traveling in different regions.
The Rotterdam ship, which was in the Caribbean, reported 83 ill passengers and 12 crew members. In response, the cruise line took extra cleaning measures and isolated the sick individuals. The ship will undergo further sanitization once it reaches Fort Lauderdale, its next port. The Zuiderdam had a similar outbreak earlier in the month, with 87 passengers and four crew members affected.
Additionally, the Ruby Princess, which sailed from San Francisco to Hawaii, reported 103 passengers and 12 crew members sickened by the virus. Despite the outbreaks, the CDC noted that cruise ship norovirus cases account for only a small percentage of all U.S. outbreaks, even though the virus causes over 90% of gastrointestinal disease outbreaks on cruise ships.
Norovirus continues to be a recurring issue on cruise ships, with around 2,500 outbreaks reported annually in the U.S. The CDC’s ongoing monitoring and response efforts aim to reduce the impact of these outbreaks and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
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