Over 200 people fell ill on two cruises this week, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed they were the 10th and 11th shipboard norovirus outbreaks of the year.
Ruby Princess ended a cruise earlier this week that saw 115 reported ill, including 12 crew members.
The ship departed San Francisco in early December with 3,000 passengers aboard. Diarrhea and vomiting were the main symptoms reported. Those affected were isolated while the crew enhanced disinfection and cleaning onboard under the ship’s outbreak prevention and response plan, the CDC said.
HAL Ship Docks in Florida
A second vessel, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, which docked in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, also reported a norovirus outbreak during its sailing.
The CDC said 83 of the 2,192 guests aboard were sickened. Again, 12 crew members reported ill with norovirus. The health agency cited: diarrhea and vomiting as predominant symptoms.
As per routine policy, increased cleaning and disinfection procedures were carried out and infected passengers and crew were isolated. In both cases, the ships contacted personnel from the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program to report the outbreak and liaise with health officials.
HAL responded: “The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is our top priority. During the current voyage, a number of guests on Rotterdam reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. The cases have mostly been mild and quickly resolving.”
Extensive Deep Clean Planned in Port
Once back in Florida, the ship will undergo comprehensive disinfection measures before departing on the next voyage. HAL hasn’t yet said whether it will impact boarding times for the following cruise.
The Rotterdam outbreak is the second on a HAL ship this month. HAL Zuiderdam was also hit by an outbreak in early December, which sickened 91 guests and crew members. Norovirus is frequently associated with cruise ship,s although only about 1% of outbreaks in the US each year happen at sea.
“Norovirus can be especially challenging to control on cruise ships because of the close living quarters, shared dining areas, and rapid turnover of passengers,” the CDC says.
