Why is Norovirus a threat on cruise ships?
The highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, Norovirus, has been spreading rapidly on numerous cruise ships this year, marking the highest number of outbreaks since 2012.
While cruises are typically associated with fun and enjoyment, contracting a gastrointestinal illness like Norovirus on board can be extremely upsetting, akin to raining on your parade. The symptoms can be unpleasant, including vomiting and diarrhea.
What
The most recent Norovirus outbreak occurred on the Viking Neptune cruise journey from Iceland to New York City on June 20. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 13% of the 838 passengers on board contracted Norovirus and fell ill.
A spokesperson from the Viking Neptune informed CNN that they believe the gastrointestinal illness originated from a shoreside restaurant in Iceland, where a group of guests dined during their free time.
Understanding Norovirus: Spread, symptoms, and prevention
Here are some key facts about Norovirus provided by the CDC:
- Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It can affect people of all ages due to its ease of transmission.
- Norovirus is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water, as well as contaminated surfaces. It can also spread through close contact with an infected person.
- Despite often being referred to as the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," Norovirus is not related to the flu caused by the influenza virus.
- Common symptoms of Norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Dehydration may occur as a result, so it is crucial to provide care for those experiencing symptoms such as dehydration, fatigue, or dry mouth.
- Most common symptoms of Norovirus include: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain. People can feel dehydrated after these symptoms so it is of utmost importance to tend to those who feel dehydrated, fatigue or have dry mouth (sympton of dehydration).
- How to prevent? A few ways to prevent yourself and others from getting sick from this virus is by: wash your hands properly and often; thoroughly rinse fruits and vegetables that you seek to consume; cook shellfish thoroughly, stay home when you are sick and stay for 2-3 days after the symptoms stop showing; and avoid preparing food for others while you're ill and do not prepare food for two days after the symptoms stop.
The CDC also said, “You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of faeces (poop) or vomit in your mouth from a person infected with norovirus.”
Understanding the spread of Norovirus on cruise ships
Why does Norovirus spread so rapidly on cruise ships? While it may initially seem that cruise ships are hotbeds for Norovirus, the CDC states that the number of cases on cruise ships is relatively low compared to the general population. In the United States alone, approximately 19-21 million people are affected by Norovirus annually, while the number of cases on cruise ships amounts to only a few thousand.
The CDC provides the following reasons for Norovirus associations with cruise ships:
- Health officials actively monitor illness on cruise ships, leading to faster detection and reporting of outbreaks compared to land-based situations.
- The close proximity of passengers on cruise ships increases the likelihood of contact with those who are ill.
- Passengers boarding the ship may already be carrying the virus, which can be transmitted to fellow passengers or crew members.
Why is Norovirus easily transmitted on cruise ships?
Norovirus transmission on cruise ships occurs through various means, including airborne particles, contaminated food prepared by infected individuals, and contact with contaminated surfaces. The confined nature of cruise ship environments contributes to the heightened risk of infection:
- Transmission can occur through tiny airborne particles, as well as through food preparation by individuals who are sick. Additionally, particles can be released into the air and spread through vomit.
- Norovirus is challenging to eliminate as it can persist on commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs and counters.
- The close quarters and extended periods spent on cruise ships create an environment where the virus can spread quickly among passengers.
- Jeffrey Fisher, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at Central Michigan University, explains, "You have this highly transmissible virus that's introduced into an environment, the cruise ship, which is ideally designed for the rapid spread of a communicable disease."
While cruise ships take necessary steps to prevent outbreaks by cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting the ships, passengers can also take precautions to avoid falling ill. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as hand sanitizers are not as effective against the virus.
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