Three U.S. cruise ships were stricken with outbreaks of illness this weekend, causing at least one New Orleans vessel to be delayed. None of the outbreaks were based from Texas ports ships.
Reports indicate 248, out of 3,139 passengers (7.9%), became ill from a stomach virus known as norovirus in New Orleans.
Less than one percent, or eleven of the 1,1192 crew members were also reported being sick. Royal Caribbean's "Voyager of the Sea" departed a few hours late on Saturday so the ship could prepare and prevent the illness from spreading more.
Although generally known for spreading easily in the close quarters of a cruise ships, historical incidence rates actually occur more often in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Earlier in the weekend, a pair of Princess Cruise Line ships sailing from Fort Lauderdale reported outbreaks of illness. They were delayed in departing on their next trips while they were disinfected and readied.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 140 of 3,013 passengers (4.51%) and 16 of 1,186 crew members (1.54%) were affected by gastrointestinal illness on one ship, and 81 passengers (2.59%) and nine crew members (0.76%) experienced similar illness on the other.
On January 25, 2012 142 of 1742 passengers (8.24%) and 8 of 824 crew (0.97%) on a ship arriving in San Francisco experienced illness.
Typically the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program sends environmental health officers and an epidemiologist to board ships reporting outbreaks so they can conduct targeted environmental health assessments and evaluated response activities.
For tips to prevent cruise line Norovirus click here.
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