Norovirus Outbreak Strikes Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess for Second Time This Year
A recent voyage aboard the Coral Princess, a Princess Cruises vessel, was marred by a norovirus outbreak, sickening over 80 individuals. This marks the second such incident on the same ship in the current year, raising concerns about sanitation and health protocols within the cruise industry.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 69 passengers out of the 1,906 guests on board reported experiencing illness during the cruise. In addition, 13 crew members were also affected by the outbreak. The primary symptoms reported were vomiting and diarrhea, both characteristic of norovirus infections.
The Coral Princess embarked from Los Angeles on February 21, embarking on a journey that included stops in Mexico, transit through the Panama Canal, and other destinations before concluding in Fort Lauderdale on March 9, according to cruise tracking website CruiseMapper.
Princess Cruises addressed the outbreak in an emailed statement to USA TODAY, stating, "At the earliest signs of illness, we promptly enacted enhanced sanitization protocols, including comprehensive disinfection, isolating affected guests, and offering health guidance to everyone on board." The cruise line further stated that upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, the crew conducted additional disinfection measures before the ship’s next sailing.
This recent outbreak on the Coral Princess follows a similar incident in late January when the ship experienced another norovirus outbreak on a cruise that set sail at that time. The recurrence of such outbreaks on the same vessel within a short timeframe underscores the challenges in preventing and controlling the spread of norovirus in the close-quarters environment of a cruise ship.
The CDC reports that there have been nine outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness this year that met the agency’s threshold for public notification. The vast majority of these outbreaks, including those on the Coral Princess, were attributed to norovirus.
While norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, experts emphasize that these vessels account for only a small fraction of all outbreaks reported. Dr. Dean Winslow, a professor of medicine and pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, explained to USA TODAY in January that outbreaks tend to occur in congregate settings where people eat and drink together. These settings can include cruise ships, universities, nursing homes, and even hospitals.
The frequent close interactions and shared dining spaces on cruise ships create an environment conducive to the rapid spread of norovirus. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, contact with infected individuals, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
Cruise lines are required to implement specific sanitation and hygiene measures to prevent and control outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness. These measures typically include enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, food safety protocols, and providing hand hygiene facilities for passengers and crew.
When an outbreak occurs, cruise lines are expected to isolate ill individuals, provide medical care, and implement additional sanitation measures to contain the spread of the virus. The CDC monitors cruise ship outbreaks and provides guidance to cruise lines on prevention and control measures.
Despite these efforts, norovirus outbreaks can still occur on cruise ships, highlighting the difficulty in completely eliminating the risk of transmission in a confined environment. Passengers can take personal precautions to reduce their risk of contracting the virus, such as frequent handwashing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with ill individuals, and being mindful of food safety practices.
The article also includes a link to another USA Today article about medical facilities on cruise ships and what happens if someone gets sick, injured or even bitten by a monkey.
The recent norovirus outbreaks on the Coral Princess serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to hygiene protocols to mitigate the risk of infectious disease transmission in congregate settings. Cruise lines must continue to prioritize sanitation and health measures to protect the health and safety of their passengers and crew. It is also important to keep in mind that the setting for the outbreak can be any location where people gather together in a social or business function. The confined space of a cruise ship is just one of many locations, but because the illness is often reported in the media, many people attribute the problem to the cruise ships themselves. However, universities, hospitals, and business settings have all also been the sites of these outbreaks.
The investigation into the Coral Princess outbreaks is ongoing, and the CDC may provide additional recommendations to Princess Cruises to prevent future incidents. Travelers are encouraged to stay informed about potential health risks and take appropriate precautions to protect their health when traveling, especially on cruise ships or other congregate settings. By following public health guidelines and practicing good hygiene, individuals can help to reduce the risk of norovirus and other infectious diseases.
