July 11, 2023 – The variety of outbreaks of norovirus and other gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships is reaching a record pace this 12 months.
The most up-to-date outbreak occurred on Viking Neptune Ship that was sailing from June 6 to twenty, when 110 of the 838 passengers on board and 9 of the 455 crew members reported sick. The CDC report on the norovirus outbreak reported that the major symptoms were abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“We believe the gastrointestinal illness originated in a restaurant on the coast of Iceland where a group of guests were dining at their leisure,” said a representative of the Viking cruise line. CNN.
This 12 months there have been 13 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships, based on the CDC. That's the best number since 2016 and marks the best variety of outbreaks in a single 12 months since 2006, when there have been 34.
The CDC reports outbreaks on cruise ships as a part of the Ship hygiene program Jurisdiction with 100 or more passengers, a world voyage involving U.S. ports, and a voyage duration of not less than 3 days. An outbreak is defined when 3% or more of passengers or crew report symptoms of gastrointestinal illness to the ship's medical personnel.
The increase in outbreaks on cruise ships isn’t reflected across the United States, based on the CDC. Last 12 months, based on the CDC, 988 outbreaks of norovirus. This number is lower than the overall since 2012, and in a typical 12 months there are about 2,500 outbreaks.
Norovirus is the leading explanation for vomiting and diarrhea in people of all ages within the United States, causing as much as 21 million illnesses annually, based on the CDC. It can be the leading explanation for food-borne illness. In addition to eating contaminated food, direct contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces also puts people in danger. Handwashing is one of the crucial vital prevention strategies.