The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in gastrointestinal disease outbreaks on cruise ships, with nearly 900 passengers falling ill in December alone.
The severity and frequency of these outbreaks have escalated, marking the highest number of cruise ship outbreaks in over a decade.
According to NPR, the CDC has recorded 16 outbreaks on cruise ships this year, caused by unidentified pathogens that trigger gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. Five of these outbreaks occurred in December, with the most recent incident involving the British ocean liner Queen Mary 2. In this case, approximately 13% of passengers and over 5% of the crew were infected.
These outbreaks coincide with a nationwide surge of norovirus, a highly contagious virus typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Norovirus can also spread through surfaces and human contact, with most outbreaks occurring in hospitals, restaurants, and long-term care facilities.
The CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks during the week of December 5, a figure higher than the range reported during the same period in previous seasons since 2012. "This year the number of reported norovirus outbreaks have exceeded the numbers that we've seen recently and in the years before the pandemic," the CDC stated.
The CDC estimates that there are about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks each year, with a higher incidence during the cooler winter months. The reason for this seasonal pattern remains unclear, although it is speculated that increased indoor gatherings may contribute to the spread.
Interestingly, norovirus outbreaks declined during the 2020-21 season due to reduced social activities and transmissions amid the pandemic. However, a CDC reporting system that collects testing data from labs across the country shows a 22% positive norovirus test rate for the week ending December 21, marking the highest rate since 2018.
Norovirus poses a particular risk to young children and older adults, who are most susceptible to severe dehydration. The virus leads to approximately 465,000 emergency department visits each year, predominantly among young children.
The CDC advises regular handwashing, especially for individuals who handle food or are around children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems, to prevent norovirus infection. The virus is resilient and can survive on surfaces for days or weeks.
In response to recent outbreaks, cruise lines such as Cunard, the parent company of Queen Mary, and Holland America have ramped up cleaning and sanitation measures on their ships. They have also isolated sick crew members to prevent further spread of the virus.
Cunard North America spokesperson Jackie Chase stated that the measures include "additional deep cleaning of public areas and staterooms, and close monitoring by our medical team, to ensure the comfort, health, and wellbeing of all guests and crew." Holland America Line, which experienced norovirus outbreaks on two of its ships this month, confirmed that it had sanitized both ships and had not reported further outbreaks.
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