Introduction to the Norovirus Outbreak
A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger, Bob Pettit, who has spent most of his retirement at sea, is not letting his current journey be ruined by a widespread outbreak of Norovirus on the ship. Despite being one of almost 100 passengers who got sick, Pettit is already planning his 26th trip.
The Outbreak
The 13-day cruise, which started in San Diego, has seen little respite with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. However, neither Pettit nor his son Josh was able to fully enjoy these stops due to the outbreak. Pettit, 87, stated, "I am 87 years old, I’ve never been so sick in my life." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak is a certified incident observed this year on board cruise ships.
Symptoms and Effects
As of Wednesday, 94 passengers and four crew members reported being sick, according to the CDC. Pettit described the experience as "violent," starting with an upset stomach that hit him a few days after the cruise began. Other common symptoms of Norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, and fever. These symptoms are a common occurrence on cruise ships and other large gatherings in confined spaces.
Prevention and Precautions
The best way to prevent the spread of Norovirus in tight quarters is through quarantine, which Pettit undertook, but even this was not enough to stem the outbreak. His son Josh mentioned that they would consider taking additional precautions in the future to avoid catching the virus, such as being more mindful of touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers, and keeping their hands clean before eating.
Response from Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean assured that its crew would do everything possible to prevent further spread of the virus throughout the remainder of the trip. The company stated, "The health and security of our guests, the crew, and the communities we visit have our top priority. For the maintenance of an environment that supports the highest level of health and security on board our ships, we carry out strict cleaning processes, many of which exceed the guidelines for public health."
Future Plans
Despite the ordeal, the father-son duo remained in high spirits and refused to let the illness dampen their journey or future plans for an amazing 26th cruise vacation. Josh expressed hope that things would improve, saying, "Hopefully things have turned into the corner here and things get better." Their current cruise is scheduled to return to Miami on Thursday.
Norovirus Outbreaks on Cruises
So far, a total of 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks have been reported on cruises, including 14 caused by Norovirus. Three of these Norovirus outbreaks occurred on Royal Caribbean ships, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and strict health protocols to prevent such incidents.
