Norovirus Outbreak on Luxury Cruise Ship

Introduction to the Outbreak

There’s nothing worse than getting sick on vacation, especially if it’s an illness that causes nasty vomiting and diarrhea. That’s exactly what’s happening aboard a luxury cruise ship, which is currently on a 133-day voyage with various stops in several countries. The trip didn’t exactly get off to a great start due to a norovirus outbreak that reportedly affected more than 100 passengers and crew members of the 2,007 guests and 640 employees on board.

Details of the Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the outbreak is the 21st norovirus outbreak on a cruise this year. Sufferers, whose symptoms include severe diarrhea and vomiting, will be isolated and "enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures will be implemented and stool samples will be collected from cases of gastrointestinal illness for testing." The duration of the cruise is just over four months, as it embarked from Hamburg, Germany on November 10th and apparently lasts until March 2026, so these passengers still have a long way to go to avoid getting sick.

Response to the Outbreak

The CDC was first alerted to the outbreak on November 30 and, according to a spokesperson, this is the best time for seasonal illnesses. “Seasonal illnesses peak between November and April, and the report reflects infection patterns on land,” they said. “That’s why we have introduced further hygiene protocols on board and the number of cases is already decreasing.” Symptoms of the vicious norovirus include severe vomiting and diarrhea, requiring sufferers to be quarantined in their cabins.

History of Norovirus Outbreaks on Cruises

For some reason, cruises seem to be a breeding ground for viruses, with the CDC reporting this outbreak as the 21st of the year. Recently, a 13-night Royal Caribbean ship bound for Miami in September fell victim to norovirus when 71 passengers and one crew member became infected. The health and safety of guests, crew, and the communities visited are the top priority, and to maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety on board ships, rigorous cleaning procedures are implemented, many of which go well beyond public health guidelines.