A Cruise-Ship Outbreak of Norovirus Infection

Public vomiting and inadequate environmental practices may have exacerbated the outbreak, which affected 236 passengers.

Noroviruses, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the U.S., account for >90% of recent cruise-ship outbreaks of etiologically confirmed diarrheal disease that have been reported to the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program.

In January 2009, an outbreak of AGE occurred on a cruise ship within 3 days of embarkation. CDC investigators boarded the ship on day 8 of the cruise and initiated an investigation, which included a retrospective cohort study and an examination of environmental health procedures. Interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of passengers and crew who reported AGE within the first 3 days of the cruise; questionnaires were subsequently distributed to all 1842 passengers. Stool samples were collected from 5…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)