Introduction to the Outbreak
Over 140 passengers and crew members aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship were sickened by a gastrointestinal illness that led to vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak happened on the Navigator of the Seas ship during its July 4 to 11 voyage, the CDC said. The ship sailed from Los Angeles to a few stops in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, and back again, according to Gangwaze, which tracks cruise routes.
Reporting the Outbreak
The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) — which works to prevent and control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships — on July 11. Cruise ships are required to report such outbreaks to the CDC.
A father and young daughter were rescued after going overboard from a Disney cruise heading to the Bahamas.
Symptoms and Affected Individuals
According to the CDC, 134 out of 3,914 passengers onboard reported being ill during the journey, while seven out of 1,266 crew members reported being ill. Their predominant symptoms were diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
Response to the Outbreak
Following the outbreak, the crew aboard the Navigator of the Seas increased cleaning and disinfection procedures aboard the ship, collected stool specimen from people who reported feeling ill and isolated those who reported feeling ill, the CDC said.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group said the health and safety of their guests, crew and the communities they visit are their top priority.
"To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines," the statement read.
Cause of the Outbreak
The cause of the spread of the gastrointestinal illness is not known at this time, according to the CDC.
"Norovirus is often a cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don’t always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation," the CDC said in a report on the outbreak. "Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time."
People with gastrointestinal illness are asked to give stool or vomit samples, which are then tested to determine the cause, the CDC said.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Learn how it spreads and how you can help prevent getting it.
Understanding Norovirus
Anyone can contract Norovirus, which is contagious and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches, according to the CDC. Ingesting contaminated food or liquids, having contact with someone who has the virus and touching contaminated objects can cause people to contact it.
Most people with Norovirus get better in one to three days, but can still spread the virus two weeks or more afterwards, according to the CDC.
People can avoid contracting Norovirus by washing their hands, and washing fruits, vegetables and cooking shellfish thoroughly before consumption, the CDC advises. Once sick with the virus, it is best to stay isolated for two days after symptoms stop.
Testing and Confirmation
Samples collected from the Navigator of the Seas outbreak are still pending confirmatory testing, according to the CDC.
Anna Sundberg contributed.
Conclusion
The outbreak on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship highlights the importance of maintaining high levels of hygiene and sanitation on cruise ships to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses. The cause of the outbreak is still unknown, but it is suspected to be Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. The CDC and Royal Caribbean are working together to investigate the outbreak and prevent future incidents.
FAQs
Q: What is the cause of the gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
A: The cause of the outbreak is not known at this time, but it is suspected to be Norovirus.
Q: How many people were affected by the outbreak?
A: 134 out of 3,914 passengers and 7 out of 1,266 crew members reported being ill during the journey.
Q: What are the symptoms of Norovirus?
A: The symptoms of Norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and body aches.
Q: How can people avoid contracting Norovirus?
A: People can avoid contracting Norovirus by washing their hands, washing fruits, vegetables, and cooking shellfish thoroughly before consumption, and staying isolated for two days after symptoms stop.
Q: What is the CDC doing to investigate the outbreak?
A: The CDC is working with Royal Caribbean to investigate the outbreak, collect stool and vomit samples, and conduct testing to determine the cause of the outbreak.
