Stephanie Heath
When enjoying a holiday, the last thing you want is gastrointestinal issues. Unfortunatley, that was the case for many aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise line. A norovirus outbreak occurred on the cruise, infecting over 70 people on board.
Videos by Rare
The Details: People Magazine shared some of the details regarding this horrific outbreak.
- The outbreak was reported on Sunday, September 28.
- It took place on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.
- More than 70 people have fallen ill after the gastrointestinal illness outbreak on board.
Norovirus Outbreak Strikes Royal Caribbean Cruise
The CDC reports that “71 passengers and one crew member traveling on the Royal Caribbean International Ship Serenade of the Seas were sick following the outbreak.” They also shared the following details.
- The norovirus affected 3.79% of total passengers and 0.11% of crew members.
- The predominant symptoms of those infected included diarrhea and vomiting.
- Experts identified the norovirus as the cause of the gastrointestinal issues.
How It Is Being Handled: The CDC shared that the cruise line has taken multiple steps to help mitigate the outbreak. Some of those steps are outlined below.
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures.
- Collected stool species from infected individuals for testing.
- Isolating all infected persons.
- Remote monitoring by VSP, including offering proper cleaning procedures, reviewing reports of ill cases, and reviewing the ship’s outbreak response.
How To Stay Healthy
When traveling, or any time for that matter, it is imperative to practice good hygiene. Maintaining good hygiene is your best defense against a norovirus. The CDC outlines important guidelines and tips for staying safe and healthy.
- Wash your hands well, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Always do this after activities such as: using the restroom, before eating or handling food, changing diapers, etc.
- Do not use hand sanitizers as an alternative to hand washing
- Hand sanitizer does not work well against noroviruses
- Handle and prepare food carefully by:
- Always wash fruits and vegetables well.
- Cooking oysters and shellfish thoroughly.
- Routinely cleaning and sanitizing your kitchen utensils, counters, cutting boards, and surfaces.
