The Norwegian Gem cruise ship, owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line, recently made headlines when a number of passengers and crew members fell ill with norovirus. The ship was on a seven-day cruise from New York City to the Bahamas when the outbreak occurred.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that of the 3,767 passengers and crew members on board, a total of 135 individuals were infected with norovirus. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. In response to the outbreak, crew members responded quickly by thoroughly disinfecting surfaces throughout the ship and providing medical care to those who had fallen ill.
The CDC also reported that many of those who became sickened were likely exposed to contaminated food or water. The exact source of contamination has yet to be determined. However, some experts speculate that it may have been due to improper handling or storage of food or water during preparation or service.
In an effort to prevent further outbreaks from occurring in the future, the Norwegian Cruise Line has implemented a number of new safety measures. These include improved sanitation procedures, increased monitoring of food handling practices and more frequent cleaning throughout the ship.
Conclusion:
The outbreak of norovirus on board the Norwegian Gem cruise ship is an unfortunate incident that has highlighted the need for improved safety measures aboard ships like these. While it is not yet known what caused this particular outbreak, it is clear that better sanitization procedures must be put in place in order to prevent such incidents from occurring again in future.