2023-07-12 09:50:04
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Millions of Americans choose to spend their vacation on cruise ships, whether in Seattle, New York, Miami or elsewhere, but when it comes to health, sailing isn’t always smooth sailing.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Control (CDC) has reported 13 outbreaks of norovirus infection on cruise ships this year. This is the largest number of cases of an outbreak of this type of virus, which has been recorded on board cruises since 2012.
The most recent outbreak of norovirus was traced back to a Viking Cruises cruise that departed from Iceland and docked in New York City on June 20. About 13% of the passengers and many crew members fell ill.
A representative for Viking Cruises told CNN, “We believe the gastrointestinal disease originated from a beach restaurant in Iceland where a group of guests had dinner during their leisure time.”
‘Very contagious virus’
The virus is a fast-spreading virus that causes acute gastroenteritis and is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anyone is at risk of contracting norovirus by accidentally ingesting microscopic particles of feces or vomit, which can happen by touching an infected person, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water or touching contaminated surfaces. Although symptoms usually only last for a few days, a person can be contagious after two weeks.
“This is a highly contagious virus,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, adding, “It only takes a few normal viral particles for someone to become infected.”
Although there is no cure for the disease, most people recover completely without medication. Water therapy to replace fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhea is a standard practice to treat symptoms.
However, with the aim of limiting the spread of norovirus infection, Schaffner recommended that cruise passengers take extra precautions, washing their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as disinfectant gels and hand sanitizers are not effective against the virus.
Dr. Jeffrey Fisher, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Central Michigan University, USA, commented: “In terms of hand washing, we’ve all been doing it since we were kids. “As often as it should. So we want to revisit best hand washing practices.”
High number of cases
The exact reason for the high number of cases on cruises this year is still not clear, but experts believe that the growing demand for cruises and record numbers of passengers may be behind it.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ship Health Program, the number of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships docking at US ports experienced years of steady decline after 2015. Overall rates of gastroenteritis also declined. The sharpest incidence on cruise ships in the United States between 2006 and 2019.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a travel health notice recommending against cruise ship travel due to safety concerns.
CDC spokeswoman Kathleen Conley said sailings have been limited and outbreaks have been few due to fewer passengers on board.
In fact, the program did not report any outbreaks of norovirus infection in 2020 and 2021, likely due to limited navigation and updated sanitation protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But in March 2022, the CDC lifted the cruise risk warning, and passenger numbers returned to record levels.
It is expected that 31.5 million passengers will sail from all over the world this year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, resulting in high-density environments that incubate the spread of the virus.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes information about outbreaks on cruises with more than 100 passengers, between 3 and 21 days in duration, and when more than 3% of passengers and crew are reporting symptoms.
These conditions were met 13 times this year, an increase of two times more than in 2022.
Four outbreaks of norovirus infection, affecting a total of 449 passengers and crew, have been recorded on Royal Caribbean ships this year, the most of any individual cruise company, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is our top priority,” a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean International told CNN, adding, “To maintain the highest levels of hygiene on board our ships, we implement strict safety and cleaning measures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.” “.
perfect storm
Compared to the general population, norovirus outbreaks are fairly uncommon on cruise ships. It affects between 19 and 21 million people in the United States annually, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to the few thousand cases seen on cruises.
Infection often occurs in crowded environments where small particles can float in the air, and cruises can create an ideal environment for a norovirus outbreak, Schaffner said. He added that a large group living and eating in a small area may be a breeding ground for the disease.
Although symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting often resolve within a few days, they can also cause dehydration. And for older passengers, who may make up a disproportionate number of cruise customers, Schaffner warned that rapid fluid loss could put them at risk of more serious illnesses. And for people with diabetes, dehydration can kill off treatment strategies.
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