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South Australia’s chief health officer has commended the Grand Princess crew for their infection protection and control practices, and for getting the outbreak under control. However, COVID generally presents a lesser risk nowadays, with most people having some level of immunity from vaccination or previous infection. The outbreak on the Grand Princess appears to have been much smaller in scale. In 2020, around 19% of Diamond Princess passengers and crew docked in Japan tested positive to COVID. Ultimately, nearly one in four Ruby Princess passengers and crew docked in Sydney tested positive. "I think ships are now quite prepared for this, and hopefully that means that outbreaks that were occurring before this pandemic are also managed in better ways so that fewer passengers are impacted," she said.
Cruise liner bound for Adelaide suffers dual outbreaks of COVID and gastro
Learn more about illnesses and outbreaks reported to VSP and find information about outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships. It’s really not that surprising that norovirus outbreaks have already reached a high water mark this year. As many Covid-19 precautions went the way of sweater vests in late 2022, it’s probably not a coincidence that this past winter saw a surge of norovirus cases in general, as I reported for Forbes on February 10, 2023. On top of that, cruise ships returned to full operations for the entire calendar for the first time since early 2020. Throw in the whole idea of “revenge travel” with people scrambling to catch up on travel delayed by the pandemic, and you’ve got a bunch of set ups for norovirus outbreaks.
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However, as travel surges this summer, travel-related illnesses are expected to surge, as well. “I think our travel frenzy after COVID is partially fueling this continued spread (of norovirus),” says Ostrosky. SA Health says a cruise liner bound for Adelaide from Queensland is dealing with outbreaks of both COVID-19 and gastroenteritis. While there are usually a la carte dining options on board, many people will choose a buffet option.
People should avoid cruise travel regardless of their vaccination status, the CDC says
Data on outbreaks on cruises is available starting from 1994, and the rate of incidence has diminished significantly since it reached a peak in the early 2000s, when outbreaks regularly surpassed 20 per year. The Department of Health described cruise ships as a higher-risk setting for communicable diseases such as gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, including influenza and COVID-19. People have missed traveling—and cruising—and they’re ready to move beyond the fear of catching “cruise ship COVID-19.” They’re booking the best cruise lines and eagerly packing for a voyage on the high seas. The list of things you can’t do on cruises anymore is shorter than it was a year ago, so as long as you know what to expect, you can enjoy a vacation in open waters. Cruise terminals are bustling with excited passengers, and cheery crew members welcome voyagers aboard. Sure, you might see the ship’s crew donning face masks, along with a few passengers.
Nearly 30 Silversea cruise passengers get sick in gastrointestinal illness outbreak
Our team members and guests are thrilled to be on board again,” Bodensteiner says. Secondly, clean and disinfect high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, handles, and that statue of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the dining hall. Use either a chlorine bleach solution that has a concentration of at least 1,000 to 5,000 parts per million or use a disinfectant that’s registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being effective versus norovirus. Surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus can be cleaned with a high-level disinfectant like bleach, per Ostrosky. It's important to wash your hands with soap and clean water frequently, but especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before eating and before touching your face.
'Vomit smells everywhere': Cruise ship's COVID, gastro outbreaks over as passengers disembark in Adelaide
"While most guests were unaffected by illness on that voyage, we proactively launched a comprehensive disinfection program, developed in coordination with international health authorities to prevent further spread." In the past 10 years, only three other cruise ships have received sanitation scores below 70, CDC records show. Violations can include something as small as not posting a raw-eggs advisory on the omelet station or a single fly hovering in a food area. But before going on your next cruise adventure, it doesn't hurt to check out the ship's most recent sanitation rating. “Guest feedback is positive on all metrics including service, cuisine, programs, cleanliness of the ship and more,” she says.
139 passengers, crew sickened during gastrointestinal illness outbreak on Queen Victoria cruise: CDC - ABC News
139 passengers, crew sickened during gastrointestinal illness outbreak on Queen Victoria cruise: CDC.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Illness on cruises isn’t as common as it is on land
A cruise liner that had been dealing with cases of COVID-19 and gastroenteritis has arrived in Adelaide. VSP is monitoring the situation and the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures. "MSC Cruises rigorously adheres to health protocols, and the results of this inspection do not reflect the brand's high standards," the person added. Norovirus cases have spiked across the United States this year, which some experts say is the result of ending COVID-19 restrictions.
The 15 cruise ships with scores below a 95
"The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit are our top priority," a spokesperson for Silversea Cruises told Fox News Digital. "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." Norovirus is also known as the “Cruise ship virus” because conditions on cruise ships can stack the deck for the spread of norovirus, so to speak. Typically, a cruise ship will have dozens, hundreds, and in some cases thousands of people sharing surfaces, objects, food, drink, and who-knows-what-else over extended period of times. Plus, hand sanitizer and cleaning materials that don’t contain something more powerful like bleach may not get rid of the virus from a surface.
Company handled outbreak 'extremely well', says health boss
“While most guests were unaffected by illness on that voyage, we proactively launched a comprehensive disinfection program, developed in coordination with international health authorities to prevent further spread,” they said. A double outbreak of Covid-19 and gastroenteritis on a cruise ship has been declared over after it docked in Adelaide and passengers disembarked on Monday morning. Passenger David Weeder, who had been travelling with his wife for 19 days, said crew on the ship kept the passengers informed about the outbreaks.
The cruise ships with the best and worst sanitation scores in 2023 - Business Insider
The cruise ships with the best and worst sanitation scores in 2023.
Posted: Sun, 09 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
To try to help prevent the spread of stomach viruses at sea, the CDC randomly inspects cruise ships and scores them on a scale of 0 to 100 through the Vessel Sanitation Program. Inspection scores of 85 and lower are considered "not satisfactory" by the agency. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its risk advisory for cruise ship travel Wednesday following two years of issuing warnings to travelers about the possibility of contracting COVID-19 onboard a cruise. The “vomiting” should be a tip off as to what may happen when you get infected with norovirus. The most common symptoms of a norovirus infection are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Such symptoms tend to emerge rather suddenly about one or two days after the virus has gone down your pie hole.
Grand Princess passenger, Maureen Monk, said there was a lack of communication onboard that she believed created an "unsafe environment" for passengers. The risk goes up when the environment is noisy, as more droplets and aerosols are shed when people are laughing, shouting or talking loudly. Gastro can also be caused by other pathogens such as bacteria in contaminated food or water.
In the vast majority of people, norovirus symptoms will last several days and resolve on their own. Norovirus can spread year-round, but it tends to have a wintertime seasonality and peak during the colder months. Outbreaks are most common between November and April, TODAY.com previously reported. In a statement, SA Health said the cruise ship operator has strict processes to manage outbreaks of communicable diseases. Ms Monk said crew began serving guests food, including at buffets, due to illness and staff were stationed near hand-washing points. South Australia's chief health officer has commended the Grand Princess crew for their infection protection and control practices, and for getting the outbreak under control.
No, a norovirus infection can consist of projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea. Similarly, you’ve got to be careful about anything that could explode in your pants. Hand hygiene is key to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus — but the way you clean your hands matters, experts note. It has to be with soap and water, because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.
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