This 12 months marked the worst in over a decade for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships docking within the US, in line with the newest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With at some point left, 2024 recorded the best variety of stomach virus outbreaks onboard cruises since 2012 — with each years tying at 16 total outbreaks. Last 12 months saw 14 gastrointestinal outbreaks.
In December alone, the CDC reported five separate outbreaks on 4 different ships — sickening greater than 800 people. All the outbreaks were attributable to the highly contagious norovirus which is seeing an uptick in cases across the US.
Probably the most recent outbreak is that this 12 months’s worst.
The outbreak onboard Cunard cruise line’s Queen Mary 2 ship — which set sail on Dec. 21 and continues to be out at sea — has sickened nearly 400 people onboard. Based on probably the most recent CDC data, 326 of two,565 passengers, or 12%, and 65 of 1,233 crew members, or 5%, have come down with the nasty stomach bug.
The norovirus seemingly stayed onboard the Queen Mary 2 — either through contaminated surfaces or infected crew members — when passengers on its last voyage deboarded the cruise ship.
An earlier outbreak on the identical boat during a Dec 14 to Dec 21 voyage sickened 138 of two,430 passengers or 5% and 12 of 1,237 crew members or 1%, in line with the info.
The overwhelming majority of the 16 outbreaks — all but three — were attributable to norovirus in 2024. One outbreak in March was attributable to E. coli and one in September was attributable to Salmonella, while a 3rd’s cause stays unknown, the CDC said.
Cunard Line said it enacted enhanced health protocols in response to the outbreaks, including additional deep cleansing and shut monitoring of ailing passengers and crew by the onboard medical staff.
Norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps and typically last between one to a few days.
However the virus is commonly still contagious after the symptoms reside — even as much as two weeks later.
It may spread “very easily and quickly” through direct contact, consuming contaminated food or drinks and touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC states.
Frequent and thorough hand washing — especially before eating and after using the restroom — is vital to keeping the bug at bay in addition to cleansing and disinfecting surfaces.
Cruise lines follow specific CDC-approved guidelines for cleansing and disinfecting ships and are required to report any outbreaks affecting 3% or more of passengers and crew members to the agency.
Cruise ships aren’t the one place the norovirus spreads quickly. Every year, there are a mean of two,500 reported outbreaks of the nasty stomach virus across the US and cases are currently surging in parts of the country.
The norovirus is estimated to cost $60 billion worldwide — and about $2 billion within the US — annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity, in line with the CDC.
This 12 months marked the worst in over a decade for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships docking within the US, in line with the newest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With at some point left, 2024 recorded the best variety of stomach virus outbreaks onboard cruises since 2012 — with each years tying at 16 total outbreaks. Last 12 months saw 14 gastrointestinal outbreaks.
In December alone, the CDC reported five separate outbreaks on 4 different ships — sickening greater than 800 people. All the outbreaks were attributable to the highly contagious norovirus which is seeing an uptick in cases across the US.
Probably the most recent outbreak is that this 12 months’s worst.
The outbreak onboard Cunard cruise line’s Queen Mary 2 ship — which set sail on Dec. 21 and continues to be out at sea — has sickened nearly 400 people onboard. Based on probably the most recent CDC data, 326 of two,565 passengers, or 12%, and 65 of 1,233 crew members, or 5%, have come down with the nasty stomach bug.
The norovirus seemingly stayed onboard the Queen Mary 2 — either through contaminated surfaces or infected crew members — when passengers on its last voyage deboarded the cruise ship.
An earlier outbreak on the identical boat during a Dec 14 to Dec 21 voyage sickened 138 of two,430 passengers or 5% and 12 of 1,237 crew members or 1%, in line with the info.
The overwhelming majority of the 16 outbreaks — all but three — were attributable to norovirus in 2024. One outbreak in March was attributable to E. coli and one in September was attributable to Salmonella, while a 3rd’s cause stays unknown, the CDC said.
Cunard Line said it enacted enhanced health protocols in response to the outbreaks, including additional deep cleansing and shut monitoring of ailing passengers and crew by the onboard medical staff.
Norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps and typically last between one to a few days.
However the virus is commonly still contagious after the symptoms reside — even as much as two weeks later.
It may spread “very easily and quickly” through direct contact, consuming contaminated food or drinks and touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC states.
Frequent and thorough hand washing — especially before eating and after using the restroom — is vital to keeping the bug at bay in addition to cleansing and disinfecting surfaces.
Cruise lines follow specific CDC-approved guidelines for cleansing and disinfecting ships and are required to report any outbreaks affecting 3% or more of passengers and crew members to the agency.
Cruise ships aren’t the one place the norovirus spreads quickly. Every year, there are a mean of two,500 reported outbreaks of the nasty stomach virus across the US and cases are currently surging in parts of the country.
The norovirus is estimated to cost $60 billion worldwide — and about $2 billion within the US — annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity, in line with the CDC.
