Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It typically causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping.
Norovirus outbreaks are common in closed spaces where people are in close proximity to each other, such as schools, nursing homes, and cruise ships. In this article, we will focus on the prevalence of norovirus on cruise ships.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that spreads through contaminated food or water, or by close contact with infected people. The virus can survive for long periods of time on surfaces such as door handles and countertops.
Symptoms of norovirus typically appear within 12-48 hours after exposure to the virus. They include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. The symptoms usually last for 1-3 days.
Norovirus Outbreaks on Cruise Ships
Cruise ships have been known to be hotspots for norovirus outbreaks due to the close quarters in which people live and travel together. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 120 reported outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships from 2008-2014.
In 2019 alone, there were at least four high-profile cases of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships around the world. These included outbreaks on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Infinity.
Cruise Ship Precautions
Cruise ship operators take many precautions to prevent norovirus outbreaks onboard their vessels. These include:
- Screening passengers before embarkation
- Enhanced cleaning procedures
- Hand hygiene protocols
- Serving food and drinks at buffets to prevent contamination
- Isolating and treating infected passengers and crew members
Despite these measures, norovirus outbreaks can still occur on cruise ships. This is due to the highly contagious nature of the virus and the difficulty of completely eliminating it from surfaces.
What Can Passengers Do?
Passengers can take steps to protect themselves from norovirus while onboard a cruise ship. These include:
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoiding close contact with sick people
- Avoiding touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus
- Avoiding raw or undercooked food, particularly shellfish, which may be contaminated with norovirus
- Reporting any symptoms of illness to ship staff immediately
In Conclusion
Norovirus outbreaks are a common occurrence on cruise ships due to the close quarters in which people live and travel together. While cruise ship operators take precautions to prevent these outbreaks, passengers can also take steps to protect themselves from infection. By following proper hygiene practices and avoiding contact with infected people, you can help keep yourself and others safe from norovirus while onboard a cruise ship.