Pardon the pun, but norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships seem to come in 'waves'. We won't hear about them for a while, then suddenly several appear at once. Often, totally unrelated, from different ports, different cruise lines and with no apparent connections.
Such was the case recently as over the course of a few days, there were breakouts of the disease on two Princess ships out of Port Everglades, (Ruby Princess and Crown Princess) and one Royal Caribbean (Voyager of the Seas) sailing from New Orleans. (Illness reports linked)
The two Princess ships had a combined total of about 500 passengers and crew affected, with the Royal Caribbean seeing about 200 sick. In the case of each, ships were delayed in port while extensive scrubbing and disinfectant measures were taken.
Although the cases of norovirus striking ships are very high profile, with proper sanitary procedures your chances of an outbreak are still very low.
First off, a bit about the disease:
- The disease causes acute gastroenteritis. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting & stomach pain.
- It is transferred from person to person and by touching contaminated surfaces. (If you've cruised lately, thats why you see those hand sanitizing stations everywhere on the ship)
- It is transferred through contaminated food or water. It is the leading cause of food related disease outbreaks in the US. It is usually contained in places where a large amount of people eat from a central area, and is often associated with nursing homes.
- 20 million cases a year of norovirus are reported in the US. It is estimated to cause over 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 people die each year in the US alone. (CDC figures)
- Norovirus is often referred to as 'food poisoning' or 'stomach flu'. In actuality food poisoning can be caused by the norovirus, but other germs and chemicals can also cause it. The norovirus is not related to the flo however.
Scientists are working on a vaccine (and making great progress), that will help future cruisers prevent norovirus. Until that becomes a reality, there are a few things you can do to help limit the chances of getting sick, including:
- Washing hands, particularly after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food.
- Not preparing food for others until at least three days after you've recovered from an outbreak.
- Avoiding shaking hands during outbreaks.
- Washing laundry that may have become contamined by vomit, blood or stool.
Keep in mind that anyone who has become ill will be contagious for up to three days after their symptoms have disappeared.
The best research tool for the disease remains the 'Centers For Disease Control' (CDC). Access their primary norovirus page for the disease for information and facts about prevention and response. They also have information available about the disease as it relates to health care facilities, and this site is constantly updated as new reports and information becomes available.
Remember, the chances are slim that you'll run across this disease if you cruise, but you can make them even slimmer with proper precautions and hygiene.
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