Outbreak on cruise ship carrying 1,822 passengers departing from Singapore

A cruise ship from Singapore to the US carrying 1,822 passengers recorded dozens of cases of norovirus infection.

Princess Cruises' Coral Princess

USA Today reported on November 16 that 70 people were infected on the Coral Princess cruise ship. The ship was carrying 1,822 passengers on a month-long journey from Singapore to Los Angeles (California, USA) when a virus spread and caused an outbreak on board.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) said that 55 guests and 15 crew members on the Coral Princess ship were infected with norovirus, with the main symptoms being vomiting and diarrhea.

Norovirus is a highly contagious intestinal virus that is easily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an infected person. According to CruiseMapper , the Coral Princess ship, owned by Princess Cruises (headquartered in California), left Singapore on October 17.

The Coral Princess has implemented “enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures in accordance with its pandemic preparedness and response plan,” among other measures, according to the CDC. The CDC’s ship sanitation program is monitoring the outbreak remotely on the ship. The cruise line did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Cruise Mummy on November 15, another norovirus outbreak was also recorded on the Crown Princess cruise ship currently traveling around Australia and New Zealand.

Passengers on board the ship received a letter advising them to disembark in Darwin, Australia, if possible, so that authorities could conduct a thorough cleaning of the ship, including disinfecting all guest rooms and public areas.

While cases of norovirus have been reported on cruise ships, the total number of cases accounts for only 1% of all cases ever reported worldwide .

Dr. Sarah Hochman at Tisch Hospital (New York, USA) confirmed that this virus has no special connection to cruise ships.

“It really is (spread) in any setting where there are large numbers of people congregate. It also happens in the community on a much smaller scale, between households and household contacts. It just doesn't get as much public health attention as it does in larger congregate settings,” said Dr. Hochman.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dich-benh-bung-phat-tren-tau-du-lich-bien-cho-1822-khach-khoi-hanh-tu-singapore-185241116185955638.htm