Nearly 80 people on a Holland America cruise ship fall ill with norovirus, highlighting ongoing health challenges in the cruise industry.
At a Glance
- 78 people affected by norovirus outbreak on Holland America’s Zuiderdam
- Outbreak began on December 4 during a 17-day Caribbean cruise
- Enhanced sanitation protocols implemented in collaboration with CDC
- 12th gastrointestinal illness outbreak on cruises in 2024, mostly due to norovirus
- Ship to undergo comprehensive sanitization before next voyage
Norovirus Strikes Holland America’s Zuiderdam
A recent outbreak of norovirus on Holland America’s Zuiderdam cruise ship has killed 78 people, including 74 guests and 4 crew members. The incident, which began on December 4 during a 17-day Caribbean cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale, has once again brought attention to the ongoing challenge of managing infectious diseases in confined cruise ship environments.
Holland America has responded to the outbreak by implementing enhanced sanitation protocols in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cruise line has taken steps to isolate affected individuals and intensify cleaning procedures to prevent further spread of the virus.
Norovirus outbreak on Princess cruise ship leaves dozens of passengers, crew sick: CDC https://t.co/bo0EbsLjOO
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) November 17, 2024
CDC Involvement and Ongoing Investigation
The CDC has confirmed the outbreak and is sending a field response team to investigate the situation. This incident marks the 12th outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in 2024, with most cases attributed to norovirus. The agency’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for thorough examination of cruise ship health practices.
“We initiated enhanced sanitation protocols in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize further transmission. As a further precaution, upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale Saturday, the ship will undergo additional and comprehensive sanitization before embarking on its next voyage. Guests have been notified of updated boarding times to allow for the additional disinfection,” a spokesperson for Holland America said.
Holland America has assured that most cases have been mild and quickly resolving. However, the outbreak serves as a reminder of the unique challenges faced by cruise operators in controlling infectious diseases in confined spaces with large numbers of people.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe stomach upset and is notorious for its rapid spread in enclosed environments. While cruise ships often make headlines for norovirus outbreaks, it’s important to note that these incidents are not unique to maritime settings.
The disease can be so bad that it kills some people – and many on the ship were in such bad shape that if they didn’t have medical treatment, they could have died.
But why did it happen on a cruise ship? Dr. Sarah E. Hochman explains:
“There’s not something special or unique about cruise ships. It’s really any type of congregate setting, but it’s also happening out in the community on a much smaller scale among households and household contacts. It just doesn’t come to the attention of public health as much as it does for larger congregate settings.”
The CDC reports that norovirus causes millions of cases and hundreds of deaths annually in the U.S., with most outbreaks occurring between November and April. Despite the media attention cruise ship outbreaks receive, they actually represent only 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks.
