Cruise Ship Reports Norovirus Outbreak to the CDC

A cruise ship that is currently on a cruise from Montreal to Boston reported a norovirus outbreak to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).

Oceania Cruises Insignia reported to the CDC that 11.6% of passengers have reported being ill during the current sailing. This is 74 of the 637 passengers on board. So far, only one crew member has reported getting sick during the cruise.

Cruise lines are required to report to the CDC anytime 2% or more of guests and crew members get sick on a sailing. If the number crosses 3%, it is considered an outbreak and posted on the CDC’s website.

The CDC is reporting that the predominant symptoms on board are diarrhea and vomiting. The causative agent is also reported to be norovirus.

In response to the outbreak, the following measures are being taken on the cruise ship.

• Increased cleaning and disinfection
• Collecting of stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing
• Sick passengers have been isolated
• Consultation with the VSP regarding monitoring the situation and review of the outbreak response and sanitation procedures

This is the 20th cruise ship outbreak reported to the CDC this year. Out of the 20, 15 were from norovirus.

Oceania Insignia departed from Quebec on October 16 and is scheduled to arrive in Boston on October 27.

Cruise ports visited on the cruise include Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Havre St. Pierre, Corner Brook, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John and Portland.