Norwalk virus outbreak

[Aldeya]

I don't want to start another negative discussion, but this really concerns me.

from Center of Desease Control site":

"Update on Outbreak Investigations - April 1, 2004
Cruise vessels are required to maintain a standardized gastrointestinal illness surveillance log for each cruise. The report includes the total numbers of passengers and crew members who reported gastrointestinal illness by dates of onset.

Cruise vessels are required to submit a special report to CDC when the number of passengers and/or crew with gastroenteritis is 2% or higher. Outbreaks occur when 3% or more of the passengers or crew have reported gastroenteritis.

The cruise ship below underwent investigation:

Norwegian Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the ship, Norwegian Crown, for the voyage completed on April 4, 2004 (sailing dates: 3/22-4/04/2004) in Philadelphia, PA.

On March 31, Norwegian Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Norwegian Crown passengers were experiencing GI illness. At 9:05 a.m., EST April 2, the ship’s medical staff reported that 45 of 1018 (4.38%) passengers and 8 of 546 (1.47%) crew members were ill. The predominant symptoms were diarrhea, and vomiting.

The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection. Lab specimens were submitted and tested negative for norovirus. Norwegian Cruise Line is providing special daily reports to VSP throughout the next cruise.

Cruise ship travelers are reminded that simple hygienic practices, such as frequent and thorough hand washing with warm water and soap, and avoiding contact with other passengers when ill, are important measures to prevent the spread of disease.

Additional information about CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is available at [url="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp"]http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp[/url]

Information on Norwalk-like viruses is available at

[url="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm"]http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm[/url] and

[url="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5203a1.htm"]http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5203a1.htm[/url]

Additional information on gastrointestinal diseases is available at [url="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/gastro.htm"]http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/gastro.htm[/url]

CDC protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

For more information, CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program can be reached at [email]vsp@cdc.gov[/email] ."


I also read on the board that AFTER this was posted people who were on 18-25 April cruise got really sick.

Now with just few weeks to go I don't know what do. I don't want my child to get sick.

I know, I know .. we have to wash our hands all the time and use sanitazers... I know... but the posssibility of getting really sick while on this particular ship is real.

What do you all think about it?

[url="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/outbreak/2004/update_april1NorwegianCrown.htm"]http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/outbreak/2004/update_april1NorwegianCrown.htm[/url]

[Host CMLA]

Unfortunately this type of thing can happen anywhere. Cruise ships are particularly susceptible because of the close quarters and you can't leave. Once your on board, you're on board for a week or so. If I were you, I'd be aware and mindful of where you put your hands and make sure to wash often. Other than that, it's a matter of everyone else being careful too.

This is encouraging, I think:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection. Lab specimens were submitted and tested negative for norovirus. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cecilia

I can be contacted at [email]ladyndnver@aol.com[/email]

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My Wedding!

[lritch426]

Relax and enjoy your cruise. The percents are in your favor. Like you said wash your hands etc... Believe me if your child is in daycare or school they are in contact with as many germs, if not more, than on a cruise!

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[Linda the Book Lover]

Thank you Host Cecilia and Iritch426 for your answers.

<LI>Tropicale ~ 5/93 <LI> Norwegian Wind ~ Hawaii ~ 4/4/03 <LI>Norwegian Majesty ~ Bermuda~ 5/30/04 <LI>[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;5;30;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Until we sail on the Norwegian Majesty to Bermuda!
[img]http://gifs.net/animate/lmkbubblfsh.gif[/img]

[Jim Gallup]

There were less than 6,000 cases of Norwalk like virus recorded on cruise ships around the world last year (CDC).
There were 127 Million recorded cases of Norwalk Virus reported in the United States of America last year (CDC).
Where would you like to be?

[mbisson]

Somethings wrong here. That's over 1/3 of the population of the US. Come on folks, you're not "holding up our end".

Of course, if you consider that the average cruise is 1 week long (I'm guessing) and there are 52 weeks in a year and do the math---And then figure the average population on all cruise ships at a given time, compared to the total population of the US, and then try to subtract the people who may have been exposed on land and they showed symptons on the the ship, and then add the people exposed on the ships that didn't show until on shore--Gee, I have a headache and need to run to the bathroom just from thinking about all this

-Monte

some of my cruising photos:
[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson"]http://community.webshots.com/user/m1bisson[/url]
A bad day cruising is better than a good day at work.

The worst cruise I ever took was pretty damned good.

Platinum with RCI, a couple cruises with NCL and 1 with CCL

Clock remove but cruise in Dec

[Guest nhrich]

As several posters have said, it's not just cruise ships. I saw a report the other day regarding over 1600 cases of Norwalk in Las Vegas. Last time I checked, there weren't any cruise ships going there [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]. Of course, if we could figure a way to get the Norway there...

Rich

12/94 Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam - W. Carib
01/96 Norwegian Dreamward - Carib
01/97 Carnival Inspiration - E. Carib
09/98 Celebrity Mercury - Alaska
02/99 Carnival Fascination - S. Carib
09/00 Celebrity Galaxy - Alaska
11/02 Norwegian Sun - W. Carib
03/03 Norwegian Dawn - W. Carib
09/03 Norwegian Majesty - Bermuda
11/03 Carnival Spirit - Panama Canal


Coming Up Next:
05/04 Voyager of the Seas - Canada
10/04 Pride of Aloha - Hawaii

[newmexicoNita]

Yes Vegas has been hit and those affected seem to be from Hawaii and all travel on a particular charter plane. Now the question: is it the plane or the hotel they are using? mbissaon, you are right, that's a large percentage, but remember many people cruise several times a year (don't I wish) and not only do American cruise, but people from all over the world love the high seas. I do think the figure is a bit high. As for worrying about the virus, it does cross all lines: we have been lucky, since the first reported outbreak a few years ago we have cruised 3 times and never been on a ship with any problems. None of us should let ourselves worry so much. Right? NMNita

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[MidtheNight]

I remember reading somewhere that the highest percentage of norwalk virus cases are in hospitals and schools.

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Sailin' on the Wind 5/29/04